For several months I have been expecting further developments on the former Hanchets site. I now understand that a developer has bought various pieces of land and is in the process of acquiring more.
I expect two things to happen before long. Firstly the developer has to consult residents in the area before submitting a masterplan for approval. Only if and when it has been approved by the Council can a planning application for any part of it be considered.
Secondly I expect an actual planning application, initially for the first phase of development, which I understand will be for 14 houses on the land immediately behind Hanchets. I should stress that this application cannot be considered until a masterplan for the whole area bounded by Mill Rd, Kings Rd and Shillitoe Close has been agreed. Residents will therefore have the opportunity to comment on both the masterplan and any planning application.
Watch this space!
June 6th, 2007
A long time ago I asked Bury in Bloom if they could smarten up the junction of Southgate Street with Maynewater Lane - the Southern "gateway" to the town. Nothing happened for months, and I kept reminding them and the Borough's Parks & Landscapes department. Still nothing happened.
Imagine my surprise therefore when I cycled past this little bed of Begonias, sponsored by the Stowmarket Lions. They had approached Parks & Landscapes for a suitable site to promote their Begonia display in the Abbey Gardens, and the Parks staff kindly remembered my plea.
June 1st, 2007
Residents of Kings Road by the cemetery and all of Chalk Road could soon be eligible to take part in the Victoria Road/Albert Crescent residents’ parking scheme. Letters are going out this week informing car owners that if the Victoria Road scheme is made permanent on September 1st, then it will be able to accommodate the extra vehicles in the daytime from Mondays to Saturdays. There will also be additional parking bays in Kings Road to help absorb the new permit-holders.
May 31st 2007
PRESS RELEASE
Paul Farmer has criticised St Edmundsbury’s planners for refusing to recommend a masterplan for the controversial BT site in Bury’s historic core. Cllr Farmer had asked for an application for flats in the BT car park in College Street to be deferred, claiming that it was piecemeal development and should wait until a comprehensive plan for the whole site is developed. In spite of this planning officers are recommending that the application is approved at the Development Control meeting this Thursday.
In a letter to the borough’s planning department Cllr Farmer claimed that whilst the Local Plan does not require a masterplan for this particular site, the planning authority can insist on one if it chooses. He will be pressing strongly for the Development Control Committee to do so.
Paul said:
“There is overwhelming local concern about this sensitive area. Residents have successfully defeated several attempts to get mobile masts on this ugly building: now they want to see a proper plan for the site, rather than the creeping development that this application may be the start of. As ward councillor I shall be appealing to the Committee on Thursday on behalf of local people.”
May 26th 2007
PRESS RELEASE:
Two holly trees in the heart of Bury will now only be lightly trimmed by St Edmundsbury Council staff instead of being cut down, thanks to the intervention of Borough Councillor Paul Farmer. Alarmed residents in Abbeygate ward contacted him about the plans, concerned about the potential loss of trees in the town centre. He immediately asked for a stay of execution pending a site meeting.
Cllr Farmer said:
“Officers were understandably concerned about the effect of the roots on the Guildhall. However, after arranging a structural survey, they decided to withdraw the application. I am very pleased that we shall now retain these specimens in an area where too few exist to be enjoyed.”
Local resident Scilla Turner said:
"I am delighted Paul Farmer has been able to persuade officers to change their minds. It is essential for the character of this area that any existing historic gardens, including established trees, are protected for the benefit of residents, visitors, and wildlife”
May 3rd 2007
PRESS RELEASE:
Residents of Shillitoe Close can see the light, now that a high hedge of trees has been cut down behind their houses. Recently re-elected local councillor Paul Farmer finally persuaded hospital staff that it was their responsibility and now it has all been cut down.
Cllr Farmer said:
“I am really pleased for the occupants of this row of houses. I have been trying to get this done since I was first elected in 2003, but the hedge has just grown and grown. I am grateful to the estates officer for his co-operation.”
Residents including Terry Chaplin were overjoyed:
“We’re all pleased Paul has got the hedge sorted. I know it has taken years of trying, but today it has finally been done. And what a good job the workmen have done as well. It’s just a shame that my dear wife is not here to enjoy it after all her efforts to get it cut.”
Suffolk Mental Health Partnerships have agreed to maintain the hedge at it new height.
Before:
After!
6 comments:
Paul - I hope you are right that a Planning Application for 14 dwellings will not be considered until a Masterplan has been approved. The number 14 is key as it allows a developer to 'dodge' the 40% affordable rule as the Local Plan stipulates that 15 is the lowest number.
Given that both King's Road and Mill Road are narrow had you given any thought to closing King's to through traffic? The junction of Prince's Street and Victoria Street would also have to be closed to prevent that becoming a short-cut for motorists seeking to avoid traffic lights.
I have been assured by the planners that masterplan approval is essential, and this is confirmed in the Local Plan.
Yes, access to this site is a big issue, but I'm not sure that the closure of Kings Road would help traffic flows in the area.
Paul - there is evidence that in order to avoid the Spread Eagle Junction, motorists are leaving Horringer Road at Glastonbury Road and then via Flemying, Abbot, Cadogan, Westbury then Queen's, are entering King's as a way into town avoiding traffic lights.
By closing the road at it's junction with Albert Crescent, King's Road would then receive mainly local traffic only.
I suspect most of my electors in Albert Crescent and Kings Road would be against this. My main concern at present is making sure residents are involved in the masterplan.
Paul - residents of Queen's Road may have a different view. We won't know until they are asked.
Surely, the masterplan will consider access and as the area between Chalk Road and West Road is the old Westfield estate, all residents should be consulted.
I understand that the process of consultation requires those in the immediate vicinity of the masterplan to be contacted. However, when it is considered by the Council's SDP commitee there is opportunity for a wider view.
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