Object
Draft Local Plan - Supplementary Consultation
Representation ID: 7098
Received: 07/03/2019
Respondent: Mr Roger Tomlinson
Original application for 400 homes, why the need for such an increased density, especially with the other commercial unit on the site. The felling of 206 trees will eliminate the wildlife corridor in the site and reduction in green spaces. the screening round the hotel was at request of Council. The cramped design of current plan will make access of emergency and refuse vehicles difficult. no plan for any amenities on site. Increased traffic flow will add to already congested roads in the area, especially at rush hour times.
Draft Local Plan Supplementary Consultation January 2019
Proposed Housing Allocation 11Former TRW Site Shirley.
On February 13th 2019 Planning Approval was given for 242 housing units on this site. I believe the Council's original figure for this site was for 400 housing units which would mean an additional 158 units are expected rather than the 330 the developer is now proposing. Have the rules changed to allow a much greater density?
Also since the initial plan a retirement scheme, a nursing home and a number of car dealerships have been approved for the site thus further increasing the proposed housing density on the remainder of the site.
The developer also proposes cutting down 206 trees on the site, almost eliminating the wildlife corridor at the rear of the houses on Blackford Road and removing the screening that surrounds the Village Hotel and its car park, which was one of the requirements the Council requested when giving permission for the hotel and car park. The removal of such a large green area is almost certainly to have a detrimental effect on the air quality in the area, as it partly recognised in that houses facing the road are not to have opening windows onto the road. This seems to be a dreadful admission of the likely outcome of such a densely populated scheme.
The approved 272 starter homes seem to be of a very cramped design and the layout of the building in a courtyard fashion makes access difficult for both refuse and emergency vehicles, making it potentially dangerous for the residents. A lower number of additional houses would allow the possibility to build better types of housing which older residents and families could move into.
There also is no plan for any amenities on the site or for any green spaces. This would significantly increase traffic flow in the area as many people would be trying to access or leave the site, especially at rush hour times, when the traffic in the area is already heavily congested.
I appreciate that the Council needs to build more homes, but this proposal does not seem to be the basis of a safe and healthy environment for the future, in keeping with the Council's ideals.