300 New Homes in the Village Coming Soon?
BRAG reports on the planning inquiry; sewerage, traffic flow and social cohesion.
The final proceedings of the planning inquiry into Jelson Homes’ proposal to build 300 units on land off Melton Road did not take place last December as scheduled but, due to illness, was held over until 15th and 16th January 2013. The Inspector, Keith Manning , made his accompanied formal sites visit as intended on 6th December 2012.
The first day (15/01/2013) was given to
highways issues focussing on the Grove
Lane junction, Barrow (river) bridge
and site access issues. On the latter the
developer proposes a single site of access
whereas for sites of this size, two points
of access are regarded as best practice for
safety purposes, although the developer
dismissed this.
The final (half) day heard from local
residents and then the final summing up
submissions by those representing the
developer, Charnwood Borough Council
and Barrow Parish Council (BPC). The
latter focussed on the lack of evidence
provided by the developer that built units
could be delivered within five years. For
example, the BPC barrister pointed to the
inadequate assessment of the sewerage
system and the possibility that a higher
capacity system may require installation
if the development is permitted.
Local resident Graham Hobbs asked for
a trial period of the proposals to improve
traffic flow over Barrow Bridge and
that a planning decision should not be
made until the outcome was clear. The
developer dismissed this by saying this
was not needed because their computer
traffic modelling and research showed
the improvements required and they were
confident of achieving them. Sue Rodgers
for BUSCA told the Inspector that the
homes would place an unacceptable
pressure on already over stretched social
facilities, having an adverse impact on
the social cohesion of the village. She
expressed concern that the developer
would not meet the section 106 financial
commitments in view of them reneging
on a previous similar commitment.
Borough councillors Hilary Fryer and
Pauline Ranson said ‘the sheer scale of the
proposal was just too much for the village
to take.’ In summing up, Counsel for the
developer dismissed all objections raised
by Charnwood Borough Council, Barrow
Parish Council, Barrow Health Centre ,
BRAG and local residents and called for
the appeal to be upheld and permission to
build be issued as soon as possible.
The Inspector intends to finalise his
report by late February or early March
and send this to the Secretary of State,
Eric Pickles MP for a final decision by
himself or the housing minister, Nic Boles
MP, on or by 13th May 2013.
Alan Willcocks,
Vice- Chair, BRAG