Safety fears over access route in new homes plan
RESIDENTS CLAIM NARROW ROAD IS WRONG CHOICE
CONCERNS are being raised about the development of a former brewery site which is set to be turned into a housing development.
A plan for 74 affordable homes at Beeston Maltings, near Dovecote
Lane in Beeston looks set to be given the green light by Broxtowe Borough Council’s planning committee.
The development would be mix of two, three and four-bed semidetached and terraced homes as well as one-bed apartments, with a new access proposed from the southernmost end of Dovecote
Lane. Despite being recommended for approval, concerns have been raised during the consultation period, including new changes since the maltings was cleared.
The brownfield area of land has been part of Broxtowe Borough Council‘s local housing plan to meet targets for affordable homes.
The number of homes originally proposed was 56, which was then raised to 82 properties and then reduced back to 74, which is the current plan which residents still feel is too high.
While residents have not outwardly objected to the creation of more affordable housing, there has also been significant concern raised around the access to the site.
It had been originally proposed road access would come from the Cartwright Way end of the site, where there has been another housing development created with new roads deemed to be more appropriate.
The access from the Dovecote Lane side now being proposed would be in an area where residents say it is too narrow and would impact other local traffic as well as the the Victoria Hotel pub.
Cath Parkin, 65, said: “It is already a busy road with the pub here and it will be even busier once work starts and more dangerous for children.
“It also gets very narrow in parts and with no car park for the pub, cars often park on the road.
“I know it’s been planned for years but I already have problems with my front garden wall getting knocked - I expect that could happen even more.”
Maria Poole, 52, said she would be accepting of the development but wants to see more communication.
“I understand the need for housing as long as it is done well and sensitively,” the marketing manager said.
“But I would have liked to have seen the plans and had more direct communication from the developer, so we could be brought along.
“People may be getting uptight about nothing.”
Bob Pitchfork, 63, a resident of nearby Redwood Crescent, which looks on to the maltings site, said compulsory purchase has been made of the Gatehouse, also known as the Foreman’s House, which is due to be demolished.
“It’s the last remnant of what was once here, and they want to get rid of it,” he said.
“It was unsuccessful in getting heritage protection.”
Mr Pitchfork, who has been active in discussing the plans with residents, says he has concerns on the water drainage system of the site which has a risk of flooding.
But the biggest fear for most is how cars and larger vehicles will navigate the narrow and ageing Dovecote Lane.
“How will cars manage this? You can’t have two cars passing here, and it’s hard to turn.
“Lorries also deliver to the pub which blocks the road regularly - it’s not logical.
“The width only measures 4.4 metres which is not enough.
“Under no circumstances do any of us not want the land developed because it is a brownfield space but we just want the entrance and exit where the original plan was on Cartwright Way.
“We also feel the number of homes should remain at the original 56.”
Former councillor for Beeston Rylands, Steve Barber, who also used to chair the planning committee said he also had concerns at the proximity of the homes to an active railway line.
“If you think of HS2, homes that close to a line would be bought.
“The original plans for 56 homes should be restored - I don’t think if 74 are approved that they will be the standard I would expect.”
Within the planning committee agenda, more than 80 comments were given by residents alongside consultations from local officers and organisations.
The planning statement reads: “The benefits of the proposal are that it would bring forward the development of long vacant and allocated site for 100% affordable housing; is in a sustainable location with good access to public transport and to local facilities; the layout provides opportunities for a future connection to the adjacent site, improving connectivity; and it would provide a good standard of living accommodation.
“The negative impacts are that there would be some impact on neighbour amenity and on the road network. “On balance it is considered that the negatives are not significant to outweigh the benefits of the proposal.”
MP for Broxtowe, Darren Henry, said: “Planning follows strict quasijudicial proceedings and as such the decision is not in my gift to change the outcome of a planning decision.
“I am aware of the strength of feelings on both sides of the argument and am pleased that this planning application has been called in for scrutiny.”
The applicant listed in the planning documents is Mr Ian Jowett, of IDD Commercial Ltd and Platform Housing Group. The planning agent is Mr Dino Labbate, of Swish Architecture Ltd.
Lorries deliver to the pub which blocks the road regularly - it’s not logical.
Bob Pitchfork