Residents lose 12-year fight against Galley Common houses

[dutchman]

A plan to build four houses on a piece of waste land in Nuneaton has finally been given the go-ahead – following a 12-year wrangle.

Residents, borough councillors and even a government inspector have previously objected to the application in Galley Common.

But members of the planning committee have now relented, despite voicing concerns over flooding and road safety issues and listening to further pleas from neighbours.

The request, for four new houses on land at the rear of 67-69 Tunnel Road, was first lodged in January, 2001, when it was refused.

Following supplementary alterations, the plan was again turned down last year.

An appeal was also dismissed – but only on the grounds of a failure to include a financial agreement, known as a Section 106, to provide cash for play and open space facilities.

Planning officer Chris Kingham told councillors the inspector had ruled that “character and appearance, highway safety, living conditions of neighbouring properties and flood risk could not be substantiated as reasons for refusal.”

The re-submitted application, with a Section 106 contribution, was agreed at a meeting last week, following a lengthy debate and on a 7-6 show of hands, with Coun Neil Phillips declaring: “This is a sad day for localism.”

He added: “The inspector stated that we would be acting unreasonably if we turned this down, so we have to consider whether it is worth taking the risk of losing money at an appeal.

“At the end of the day it is the residents who will suffer.”

Committee chairman Coun Bill Hancox said: “Our sympathies are with the residents but we have to take into account what the inspector said at the appeal.”

Two residents, Gail Davenport and Alison Gregory, addressed the meeting to complain that the development would increase the problem of flooding in the area and that a new access road to the site would add to the dangers of people using and crossing Tunnel Road.

Local ward councillor Matt Grant said he supported the residents in their objections which raised “serious issues” and Coun Kris Wilson said: “It is all very well for the inspector to visit the site one day, but it is the residents who have to live with the problems permanently.”

Coun Des O’Brien was also against what he called “a back garden development” but a proposal from Coun Keith Kondakor for the matter to be deferred, to await a flooding assessment, was rejected.

* A decision on an outline application for a 66-home housing development on farm land off The Long Shoot has been put back for a site visit.

[dutchman]

Protest victory as Nuneaton green field homes plans are kicked out

Campaigners are celebrating the rejection of proposals to build two housing estates on green field sites at villages on the outskirts of Nuneaton.

A government inspector has ruled against building 130 homes off Tunnel Road, Galley Common, while Secretary of State Eric Pickles has thrown out an appeal over plans for 169 homes and a canal marina at Hawkesbury.

Both proposed developments met strong opposition from residents’ action groups after also failing to impress local councillors.

A public inquiry was held over the Galley Common application, which inspector Paul Griffiths turned down because “it would destroy the historic landscape of ridge-and-furrow fields and hedgerows, which were probably medieval in origin.”

Local historian Mark Hood said: “Some of this ancient open land is unique, dating back to 1550. It’s very pleasing that it will not be trashed by housing and that walkers can continue to enjoy the Centenary Way public footpath which runs through the site.”

The plan earmarked for the disused golf course at Hawkesbury had twice been given the thumbs down by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council and an appeal to the Minister has now failed on the grounds that it is in the green belt.

Objections had been lodged over traffic problems and the lack of sufficient infrastructure but costs for the appeal have been awarded against the local authority because their earlier rejection was deemed flawed.

Meanwhile, plans for three other housing developments have been unanimously approved by members of the council’s busy planning committee.

At this week’s meeting, they were shown drawings of the lay-out for 121 homes to be built as the first of three phases of a new estate on farm fields bordering Church Lane and Weddington Road at Nuneaton.

The design includes landscaping, a cycle route, footpaths, open play areas and a flood-relief system. There would be a mix of semi and detached houises and flats, with 31 of the properties being affordably priced.

The committee also gave the go-ahead to a cul-de-sac of 38 affordable homes at Leicester Road, Bedworth, on the site of the former Leekes store, and agreed to allow 120 homes to be built on one of four developments envisaged on land adjacent to The Long Shoot, Nuneaton.

[dutchman]

Weddington Road new homes plan given green light by Nuneaton planners

Another 400 homes are set to be built in Nuneaton after controversial plans were given the green light by planning chiefs.

Campaigners have been fighting to save the farm land off Weddington Road from being turned in to a housing estate by developers Hallam Land Management.

However the planning committee at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council approved the plans for Lower Farm on Tuesday night by a vote of eight to four.

The blow follows on from a previous development by Sheffield-based Hallam for 326 homes on the opposite side of Weddington Road next to the parish church being given the thumbs up.

This most recent proposal has been described as a “high quality attractive residential development” by Hallam, which will include a primary school, open space, landscaping, footpaths and cycleways.

The council had received letters of objection from homes in neighbouring Bramdene Avenue, Grove Fields and Weddington Road.

Coun Keith Kondakor, who has campaigned against the plans from day one, said: “We have already had 326 homes approved in Weddington and now another 400 which will have an immense impact on traffic.

“If we go on 700 homes with two cars per house, that is not going to make the traffic problems any better.

“Also it is a dreadful place to build that far out of town as they have no shops down there, no evening or Sunday bus service - it is an unsustainable place to build these homes.

“There are also four companies looking to build on the Long Shoot which all filters in to the same system, so that side of town is being swamped.

“The planning system is in an awful state at the moment and people are able to apply where they want.”