All,
Orbit came to the Town Council meeting last night to discuss their proposals for the field next to Angela’s Meadow, which they have bough an option on (see my previous post here).
The proposals, however, are no more than initial thoughts. Orbit said that they took an option on the land at the end of last year, and don’t have any firm proposals yet. Worryingly they said hat the development could consist of 70-80 homes – although this could be reduced depending on the size of the homes they build. A mixture of two bedroom homes and flats would mean more houses than a development with several family homes. The development was likely to be a mix of private and affordable housing.
They have also not thought in any detail about the access to the London Road, which may be through Angela’s Meadow.
A number of concern’s were raised at the meeting. District Councillor Richard Cheney called on the Town Council to produce a housing needs survey to identify what housing was really needed in Shipston – but I will post on this later in the week.
Other Councillors pointed out that in the draft Core Strategy, which sets out the District’s planning priorities for the next 15 years, the area is sited as an ‘area of restraint.’ This means that housing would not normally be allowed there. The Core Strategy also limits individual developments to 2% of the size of the town (which would be a little under 50 homes).
Finally one local resident was also worried about the impact on the Girl Guide’s field behind the development.
Real proposals will come through in the next few months – and Orbit have promised a wide public consultation. In the meantime let me or any of your other local councillors know your views. You can leave a comment below.
Philip
What an absolute joke! How can this even be a realistic proposal!
I live in Angelas Meadow and we only have 26 properties here which are spaced out with lovely meadowland and nature boxes, yet its possible to cram upto eighty dwellings on the land behind!
Everyone comments how well laid out Angelas Meadow is so how could this even be considered for planning!
There is no way you could have an access road from that field onto the london road (Accident nightmare on a brow of a hill)
and the Cul De Sac in Angelas Meadow could not take that volume of traffic if the residents safety was ever going to be a consideration!
How are the Schools and the Medical services expected to cope with this, My son is not even guarnteed a Junior School Placement even though our family history in this town can be traced back over a hundred years!
I for one will be watching any developments in this very closely!
Posted by Victoria Clifton | February 15, 2012, 12:17 pmVictoria,
Thanks for getting in touch!
Most of your comments were raised at the Town Council meeting on Monday.
As I didn’t mention it in the article – if it did go ahead Orbit would have to make a fairly large contribution towards local services, which could go towards improving the number of places at the Primary School.
I have personal interest in the problems the Medical Centre is facing – Rachel, my wife, is the Practice Manager there. Whether this development goes ahead or not they need more space! If you haven’t seen the health park proposals you can see them at http://shipstonmc.warwickshire.nhs.uk/About-Us/Health-Park
The problem that Shipston faces is that the District Council is telling us that we have to build around 200 more houses in Shipston (whether we like it or not) – and no-one can agree where. Whatever happens, I can’t support this many homes next to where you live.
Please ask other people to comment – either on here or by writing to the Town Council.
Philip
Posted by Philip Vial | February 15, 2012, 8:21 pmI am in full agreement with Victoria that this is an absolute joke. Angelas Meadow is a lovely family friendly place to live, this would not be the case with 70-80 house’s worth of car’s coming through daily. Also I just wondered if anyone else had noticed the Barn Owls that roost and feed off that field daily, aren’t they protected?!
Posted by Rachel Booth | February 21, 2013, 9:49 am