Cheers of delight as Hook Street homes refused
11:10am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By Matthew Edwards
Members of the public and councillors against the proposed Hook Street development who attended a planning meeting at the Swindon Civic offices yesterday evening. From left, Keith and Lorraine Williams, Anne Henshaw, Tom Pepperall and Mollie Groom
THERE were cheers in the council chambers after councillors refused plans to develop on the doorstep of Lydiard Park for the second time.
Persimmon Homes submitted an outline planning application for the development of 73 homes on land north of Hook Street, but it was refused – to the delight of local residents and councillors.
In 2011, plans for 175 homes on the same land were thrown out by the Planning Inspectorate on appeal because of the impact it would have on one of Swindon’s ‘crown jewels’ Lydiard Park.
Then, in July 2012, developer Persimmon Homes held a pre-application public consultation on revised plans for 91 houses, but reduced that number to 73 ahead of last night’s meeting.
The homes would occupy less than half the original proposed site – 3.6 hectares compared to 8.8 hectares – and would be sited down the hill to avoid encroaching over the ridge, which was a main objection to the first plan.
During the statutory consultation, Swindon Council received about 150 objections, including from the Council for the Protection of Rural England, Friends of Lydiard Park, the Lydiard Fields Action Group, Lydiard Millicent Parish Council, and Lydiard Tregoze Parish Council.
At last night’s meeting councillor Nick Martin, of the planning committee, said: “I think this is a rather clear example of greed.
“To say it is below the ridge is all very well but we have no reason to believe that the developer won’t be back for the other half of the field.
“I don’t trust the developers who are just looking to piggy back on other developments.
“It offers no benefit to the people of Swindon and only increases the profits of a particularly greedy developer.”
Despite the vote being unanimous there is still the risk that Persimmon Homes could appeal the decision and it will fall into the hands of the Planning Inspectorate to have the final say.
Glen Lodwin, agent, for Persimmon Homes cited the five-year housing plan shortfall as one reason why the development is needed and said that steps had been made to ensure the development is not visible from Lydiard Park.
Keith Williams, of the Lydiard Field Action Group, said of the refusal: “It’s great news.
“It’s good to see the councillors have the courage of conviction to refuse the plans.”
Comments(7)
LordAshOfTheBrake
says...
11:29am Wed 13 Mar 13
Now use the same argument to review a number of other planning applications that should have been refused.
The developers across Swindon have shown themselves to be untrustworthy as areas remain undeveloped and incomplete across the major developments of the last few years.
No doubt Pickles will wave it through on appeal once it lands on his desk.
Tim Newroman
says...
12:32pm Wed 13 Mar 13
house on the hill
says...
1:13pm Wed 13 Mar 13
victor-cos
says...
1:15pm Wed 13 Mar 13
house on the hill
says...
1:30pm Wed 13 Mar 13
LordAshOfTheBrake
says...
2:36pm Wed 13 Mar 13
house on the hill wrote:That was the argument used by a number of councillors over Tadpole/Ridgeway farm; despite the fact they had run their election campaigns with one of the pledges being to oppose the development.
Why do we have to go through all this rubbish, If it is going to be agreed on appeal anyway, why bother? Its all posturing really. I am not sure Pickles can see his desk over his stomach so he may miss it!!!!
whaddahey?! says...
11:21am Wed 13 Mar 13