Housing Scheme on The Playing Fields Thrown Out – For Now

January

21

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The old team of Black and Oatham were in action at the planning meeting on Jan 20th. We persuaded the district council to refuse permission for the proposed housing scheme at the Park School site, for 129 houses and flats.

We know there will be housing here eventually – that battle was lost about 3 years ago – but we felt that this scheme stank. For example:

Nearly half the gardens – 46% – are below the minimum garden size
The design of the flats is poor – the County adviser called them “dreadful”
The size of the blocks of flats will mean they dominate their surroundings
County Highways have several concerns
There will be an expected extra 721 car movements per hour in the morning peak
That’s one extra car every 5 seconds on Rawreth Lane!

We were quite touched to receive full support from some of the leading Tory councillors – the ones we sometimes clash with on political issues. However the planning officers weren’t so supportive – they had recommended approval.

We expect Wimpey will go to appeal, so the battle isn’t over yet. It only show how right Chris was to oppose the whole principle of building on these playing fields (Ron was against as well, but wasn’t a district councillor then!)

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