| PRESENT:
Councillor David Pearcey – Acting Chairperson
Councillor Dave Spurling
Councillor Dennis Curling
Councillor Julian Hamblin
County Councillor Jackie Porter
City Councillor Keith Wood
APOLOGIES
Councillor Rosemary Stephens
Councillor Jane Rutter
Councillor Ron Hatchett
This extraordinary meeting was called to discuss the outline planning application for the land behind 155 Springvale Road.
There were 5 members of the public present.
Mr Colin Lee of South Ridge whose property backs on to the proposed development expressed concern about the density and stated the playing field area in Willis Waye was included in measurements to allow density. Also believed the road widths on the plans were not to scale and subsequently were narrower than they appeared.
Mr Ian Lester was representing the Mt Pleasant residents and stated Willis Waye was wider than Mt Pleasant and more suitable for emergency vehicles. Mt Pleasant is used by pedestrians and there are no pavements.
Mr Stuart Jones of Mt Pleasant stated that the local design statement for Headbourne Worthy stated that Mt Pleasant should be preserved as is, this development would completely change the character. The highest buildings in the proposed development are nearest to him and would be overlooking dwellings nearby. He also felt density was far too high from 3 dwellings to proposed 62.
Councillor Jackie Porter expressed concerns about safe access routes in and out of the proposed development, also noise from A34 to those houses nearest to that part of the development.
The meeting officially opened at 1940 hours.
Councillor Pearcey read a prepared report of his views – attached (PDF)
Councillor Hamblin further expressed concerns about the effects of the proposal on Mt Pleasant which was totally contrary to LADS (local area design statement). Also the footpath planned for the road besides the allotments is a private road and this footpath is opposed by the residents. The taller buildings were disguising their heights and were slightly taller than those recommended in LADS and there should be restrictions placed on the heights of any proposed buildings.
Councillor Curling stated LADS recommended that any landscaping should retain existing vegetation, not just trees but hedgerows also. Any proposed development should indicate which trees and vegetation, including hedgerows will be retained.
Councillor Spurling – principal points in relation to access were questioned as the lane in from Springvale Road is not wide enough for two large vehicles.
One question raised at the meeting was ‘Who owns the land at the end of Mt Pleasant?’
It was felt by the parish council that even though this was only an outline planning application the full details included in the application needed to be discussed. The parish council unanimously strongly opposed the development for the reasons discussed above.
(Letter of objection attached - PDF).
Councillor Keith Wood stated the closing date for this application has been extended to 30th June and therefore comments would still be accepted until this date. Also that the planting of any new trees in this development should be of mature trees.
Meeting closed 2020 hours. |
