Questions asked of ‘done deal’ for new universities at Weaponness
People living close to leisure village angry at separation of scheme for planning process
A group of people living near the proposed Weaponness Leisure Village have hit out at what they claim is a ‘lip service’ consultation.
The leisure village, which will include Scarborough Athletic’s new stadium, the University of Coventry Scarborough campus and the Scarborough University Technical College, is situated within the Ramshill Ward.
People living around the site, in particular in Weaponness Valley Road, have told The Scarborough News they are angry that the stadium and the two education facilities are being decided as separate planning applications.
They are also upset the planning process for the stadium is being held when the borough council has been dissolved before May’s election.
Sarah Blake, one of the concerned homeowners, said: “We have some concerns about the stadium but we are not against that per se.
“However, I don’t know how [the council] can treat the stadium and and the universities as two separate applications.
“They are on the same site, it is impossible to comment on one without having to consider the other.”
She said they have been backed by Ramshill Cllr Amanda Robinson, who is not running for re-election to the authority in May.
Mrs Blake added that those living near the development felt the university was a ‘done deal’.
“When you go on to Coventry University’s website it says ‘opening 2016’ and we know that the first students are coming to Scarborough in September so how can we not assume that it has already been decided to grant planning permission?” she said.
“We have been left here in the middle of an election, with no MP, no local representation and we are expected to just try and figure this out for
ourselves.
“It feels like the consultation is just lip service and everything has already been decided.”
She added there were also concerns over the extra traffic and anti-social behaviour the development would bring.