Futures Forum: Going, going, gone?......................................................... "Evidence from CPRE branches across England demonstrates that there is a growing threat to our most important landscapes from inappropriate development."
there are questions about whether the latest proposals for housing in East Devon mount to 'inappropriate development':
Site location fears for hundreds of homes at Honiton are voiced
| Posted: November 01, 2013
The proposed development
Comments (0)
Residents in the Honiton area of East Devon have until November 8, to have their say on plans for 300 homes on green fields on the outskirts of the town.
The development will be spread across 28 acres on land west of the town and outside the town boundary, just over one mile from the town centre, off Hayne Lane.
In East Devon District Council’s draft Local Plan, which sets out where around 15,000 homes could be built between 2006 – 2026, Honiton is allocated 450 homes.
However this particular site has been identified as a “reserve” site which means that it should only be considered if no other suitable sites come forward.
Devon councillor for Gittisham, Claire Wright has criticised the location of the houses on a reserve site branding it “a total mockery of planning”.
“A reserve site, which should be considered “if no other suitable proposal comes forward” appears to be meaningless, as this site is one of the first to come forward in the Honiton area,” she added.
She has also expressed concerns about the impact of the development on the existing community.
“Gittisham it is probably one of the most beautiful chocolate box villages you could see,” she continued. “And although the proposal is some way from the village itself, there would undoubtedly be an impact if the application is approved, in terms of traffic, at the very least.
“There are also the impacts on schools and medical services, among other issues, to consider.
“And looking through the literature, there are the usual lovely pictures of people cycling through countryside, people picnicking in pretty gardens and the developers appear to be suggesting that dormice and other protected species will be better off surrounded by 300 houses!”
The development will also include green space, a community orchard and allotments, and will predominantly be comprised of family homes with the percentage of affordable homes between 25 – 40 per cent.
A series of public consultation meetings have already been held by the developer behind the scheme, Welbeck Strategic Land, and a spokesperson said the firm is “extremely interested” in the views of local people.
Honiton Town Council has received a presentation by the developer and a public exhibition has been staged in the town.
A further event is being in the nearby village of Gittisham on Tuesday, November 5, between 6pm and 8pm, and parish councillors are due for the same presentation the following evening.
The chairman of the parish council, councillor David Fallows, said in response to the Local Plan, the council had pledged its opposition to development at the Hayne Lane because of concerns including the impact on the surrounding Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and on the road network.
Honiton Town Council, although not objecting to this specific site, also objected to ribbon development, or an extension of the town, preferring its housing allocation to, where possible, be within the existing town boundary.
Both councils will make a formal response to the scheme when an application has been lodged with the district council.
As part of the scheme, there will only be pedestrian and cycle access onto Old Elm Road with the vehicular access on Hayne Lane. The developer is consulting with the county and district councils and the Highways Agency to agree suitable mitigation of the development’s impact on the road network.
In addition, Welbeck is in discussion with Devon County Council highways department regarding being involved with potential future improvement work at the nearby Turks Head junction which leads onto the busy A30 and becomes very congested.
Residents can email their comments to, honiton@welbeckland.co.uk by Friday, November 8.
Site location fears for hundreds of homes at Honiton are voiced | Exeter Express and Echo
Public consultation Hayne Lane development
Welbeck Strategic Land is holding public consultations regarding its proposal to develop 300 homes near Hayne Lane in Gittisham parish.
The first is on Thursday afternoon (24th Oct) at the East Devon Business Centre, and the second on Friday afternoon at the Mackarness Hall.
A further exhibition is to be held in the Village Hall at 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday November 5th.
Please go along to find out more.
See also: welbeckland.co.uk
Claire Wright - Your Independent East Devon District Councillor for Ottery Rural
Susie Bond | Independent District Councillor for Feniton and Buckerell ward, EDDC
Honiton Town Council - Town Council
.
.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment