Many residents will be aware of the public consultation held by Bloor Homes at the Village Hall on 27th June. This pre-planning application consultation was attended by Ken Hawkins, one of your Conservative Ward Councillors. After looking at the proposals —which may change when a formal application is eventually made — and following a conversation with a senior representative from the agents, Ken Hawkins came away very dissatisfied and will formally object to the proposals.
The history of the land in question goes back several decades, with the land then being allowed for development (the developers at that time going into liquidation), and eventually becoming 'safeguarded' land, ie land that could be used for development if and when conditions allowed. The land is now mentioned in the draft Local Development Plan (LDP) for release as development land from 2023 onwards. In respect of this, the Planning Inspector MAY allow the use of the site for development and if so, strict conditions regarding open space, amount of land for development and flooding safeguards are likely to apply.
With 220 new homes being proposed by Bloor Homes, taking up a substantial part of the usable land and little consideration given to flooding issues, your Conservative Action Team cannot support these proposals.
It is important that ALL development in the neighbouring area is taken as 'a whole' and must be determined when the LDP is adopted by the Planning Inspectorate, hopefully by autumn of this year. In addition, in answer to a question from Ken about flooding in nearby Willow Drive and Coppice Walk, the senior representative stated 'It should not make it any worse'. This is totally unacceptable and the proposals do not take into account flooding of properties beyond this site.
Ken is writing to Pegasus Group, acting for Bloor Homes, urging them NOT to make any formal planning application until the LDP has been adopted. However he is not confident this course of action will be taken and he believes a formal planning application will follow.
What is the next step?
There is at least one on-line petition regarding the land and proposed development but in reality there is nothing to object to at present. Any objection can only be made following the publication of plans and your Conservative Action Team will contact you as soon as one is submitted. Further information, as well as previous reports relating to the site, can be read on Ken's personal website: www.cllrkenhawkins.co.uk