Revised plans August 2005 and our comments.
Revised plans can now be viewed at the planning office at St Leonards Sq. You can download at the bottom of this page.
Main Changes:
- A public playgroung is now situated adjacent to the health centre.
- The new access road from St Oswalds Rd, now passes closer to the main Connaught Court building – at one point only 3 metres away where before it was 15 metres away.
- There are now 8 houses on the field adjoining St Oswalds Road – reduced from 9. These houses have been moved further away from the boundary and there is a footpath from the field directly onto St Oswalds Road.
- There are extra parking spaces for Connaught Court.
- The trees are now supposedly shown to their correct dimensions. (we still believe there are “convenient” inaccuracies)!
- The bowling green has been placed a little closer to the northern boundary.
- There is a turning area for the health centre and bowling green parking areas.
- Bungalow 5 appears to be retained.
Implications of revised plans.
- Virtually all our original objections remain.
- We have serious concerns about the location of the bowling green – there is simply not enough space to accommodate it without grave implications for the surrounding trees.
Also, because there is insufficient space, it has no perimeter pathway which is essential. - The residents of Connaught Court do not have a direct or safe pedestrian access (as they currently have) and the new road passing so close to the home will create extra noise & disturbance
- While some of the tree issues have been addressed, many are still at risk especially around the bowling green and playground areas. Apart from these protected trees we estimate that at least 20 of the smaller/unprotected trees will be felled.
- The new plan in some ways is worse than before as even more green space is taken away to provide extra parking/turning areas etc.
- The playground will also be visually intrusive and could create anti-social/crime/drug problems as currently experienced at the School Lane playground. Also, it’s location close to veteran trees is insuitable.
- The replacement tree for the copper beech is still too close to the new extra-care appartment block to allow future growth to its previous dimensions. (the second replacement tree appears to be dead)!
- The RMBI feel that, because they are a charity, they should not be required to provide any affordable housing – most of the profit from this development will be used for other care homes around the country.