Fears over ‘secret’ plans for up to 1,000 homes
FEARS are growing over ‘secret’ plans which could see a large swathe of green land near Hinckley consumed by up to 1,000 homes.
Householders in Whitestone , in Nuneaton, fear proposals could soon be officially submitted to Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council to build homes on land behind both Chetwynd Drive and Purcell Avenue.
It would comprise up to 120 acres of farm land, which is in the green belt and would essentially link Whitestone with Bulkington and Bramcote.
Some residents have spotted workmen on the land setting up tripods and have seen drone cameras circling the boundaries as well as drainage surveys being carried out.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that a land development agency have been instructed to do these works.
It is common practice for these tests to be carried out before a planning application is submitted, something which fill those who live locally with dread.
They have aired their concerns to ward councillors Kris Wilson and Julian Gutteridge during meetings over the weekend.
Cllr Kris Wilson said: “For a number of months now, tests have been conducted on land behind Lutterworth Road and Chetwynd Drive by landowners wanting to put forward their land for building up to 1,000 houses.
These tests have increased and caused concern for those living in the affected areas.I want to be absolutely clear to both the developers and residents alike - as local ward councillors we will oppose vigorously any attempts to build on this land. Existing proposed developments in Bulkington and on Golf Drive are highlighting the existing schools, GP and road infrastructure. Any development on these sites will increase the problems that we already face in our community and we will fight any development here every step of the way.”
It has been suggested that at in the latest rounds of inspection hearings into Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s ‘Borough Plan’, developers put forward a case to the Inspector that more sites should be released for housing by the council.
Cllr Julian Gutteridge added: “We have heard that the owners of the land behind Chetwynd Drive were trying to seek to put forward at the recent inspection their land as being suitable for development.
“As a local resident and councillor I know that any development on this land will be absolutely unsuitable for the area and add further congestion and madness to our roads.”