News from West Devon Borough
Bully Off!! say
Residents in Housing Row
No to
development on the old Hockey Pitch site
Monday 18
February 2008
There was
standing room only as 50 angry residents from the Grenville Drive area of
Tavistock packed into the meeting room of Armada Court on the afternoon of
Sunday 17th February.
They were there
to voice their opinions against a proposed planning application for 33 dwellings
on the old Hockey Pitch site.
Max Traber, who
organised the meeting, welcomed local ward councillor Alison Clish-Green (Lib
Dem, Tavistock South West) who addressed the meeting.
Summarising the
comments (for full notes see below) she made at the most recent West Devon
Planning meeting, she said: “I objected strongly to the application on the
following grounds: highways issues and road safety; flood plain issues; and
environmental concerns. I am trying to get the land safe-guarded as a permanent
environmental open green space.”
Residents are
extremely concerned about the access. The warden of Armada court, Cherry
Skibinska, said: “The Ring & Ride bus which transports elderly people aged
between 75 and 94 had to leave them all on the main A386 because Grenville Drive
was blocked by parked vehicles, thus preventing the bus from accessing Armada
Court.”
Terry Balch, a
resident of Grenville Drive, is concerned about the bats. “They are a protected
species” he said, “and I have a notice in my roof space from the Environment
Agency saying so. As far as I know the Council has not undertaken a bat survey.”
Brian McGregor,
another resident said: “The issue of ground water is a real concern. The ground
there is always wet and where would the water go if the land was built on?”
Cllr Clish-Green
responded “I have heard that on the adjoining cemetery site the coffins are
sometimes floating in water. I also question if any new dwellings would be able
to get house insurance.”
Cllr Alison Clish-Green made the following points to the West Devon BC
Planning Committee on 5th February 2008:
Highways
There is a problem with access from the main A386 into Grenville Drive. Because
of parked vehicles the junction is very dangerous. This situation would be
exacerbated if the development went ahead with a potential of an additional
approx 120 vehicle movements per day. There is on street parking on both sides
and I question if there is sufficient room for a fire engine to access Grenville
Drive in an emergency.
Flood Plain
The hockey pitch is on the flood plain, if any development took place where
would the water go? The ground is permanently wet all along the river valley;
gardens nearest the A386 at Bishopsmead are really wet throughout the year. I
think this is potentially a real problem. The report states that there is
concern because of the high water table & also states that soak always may not
work.
Environmental Concerns
There are several properties that have bats roosting in their roofs. They have
notices saying that they are a protected species. They forage, roost & breed on
this site. I don't believe a bat survey has been undertaken. Bats hibernate
during the winter so a survey can't be done till the spring. The
site is a wildlife haven, an oasis of green open space and home to many
varieties of flora & fauna; it should remain as such.
The application is due for determination at the next Planning Committee
on March 4th 2008.
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