RESIDENTS living near Bower Hill which is due to have six affordable homes built on it have said, because the plans have been changed, housing association Fortis Living should organise a new meeting so people can have their say on the alterations.
There was originally eight homes due to be built there but a public consultation saw Fortis cut that to six, which was welcomed by residents and local councillors.
Those living near the site claim the proposed parking allocation has been cut from 23 to 18, which would be grossly insufficient to meet the parking needs, meaning some residents would have to park on Celvestune Way, which is a main road.
Haden Lloyd, who lives on The Butts, said: “It is very possible that the six houses will require more than their one allocated space each, compounding the
problem further and causing difficulties of access in and out of our garage – with cars parked everywhere with likely obstructions due to shortage of spaces.
“Clearly because this estate was built with walkways the garage/parking areas were there to accommodate parking needs, which, since being built, have
increased substantially.”
Another resident from Camp Hill, who had their say through the council’s planning portal, said they felt the development lacked compassion for the local area and a total disregard for the residents currently living there.
It added that the ‘revised plans’ had done little to address residents’ concerns, that the development was too close to a main road and a railway line and that it was felt the reduction of car parking spaces would lead to conflicts between residents battling for places to park their cars.
Now residents are in the process of organising a petition against the proposals and the list is already up to more than 300 names.
Mr Lloyd said: “When we have gone round the surrounding roads, the petition has been well-received.
“People are pulling together in a bid to make sure if there has to be development here, then it is suitable for the area and doesn’t impact on their quality of life.
“Knocking on doors we have found there are a number of elderly and disabled people living here who rely on their cars and would be unable to walk extra distances if their parking spaces were further away than they are at the moment.”
A spokesperson for Fortis said: “We appreciate the importance of face-to-face public consultation and changes to the Bower Hill planning application were influenced by comments made at the meeting in June.
“We would encourage local residents to feedback their views on the amended plans through the official planning process.”
