Update #3
Thursday 16 December 2021
Keep telling the developers your views - plus look out for another public drop in session in January with (hopefully) more details and drawings....
A quick update from us before Christmas.
Thanks to those of you who managed to attend the public drop-in sessions. Thanks, too, for all your emails & comments about the plans for the St Christopher’s site.
So far, the messages we’ve received about the proposals have been overwhelmingly negative.
Although SCAN welcomes the fact that some of the plans have been modified, it seems there are still major concerns. Here's what you've told us you're worried about:
Density: Although the developers have changed some of their plans, they are only reducing the overall number of housing units by FIVE units - from 126 to 121.
The impact of extra traffic and site access points: Despite assurances from the developers, many residents remain deeply concerned about the adverse impact on road safety and parking.
Ecology: The loss of trees, wildlife and the impact of building work and extra pollution - particularly on young children in the adjacent primary school and nursery.
Too high and too close: Many of you have told us that the proposed multi-storey apartment blocks and new-build houses will dominate neighbouring streets and would be out-of-character in the Downs Conservation Area.
The nature of the consultation: Many of you were critical of the lack of information and detailed drawings at the public drop-in sessions - particularly with regards to the heights and proximity of the proposed new buildings. A lot of you also criticised the written questionnaire and the online survey with comments about the type of questions. We have already fed back your comments to the developers and asked for changes in future sessions. We continue to monitor the consultation process and along with the Westbury Park Community Association (WPCA) press for more information and detail on the designs so you are able to fully understand the plans.
Community Access: Lack of clarity about community use of the communal spaces.
Remember the public consultation period remains open until Jan 19th so there is still a chance to influence the development. We understand there will be a third public drop-in session in mid January - hopefully with a lot more information and updated drawings. We will tell you as soon as we know more!
The plans are still available to see online - here. It's really important you continue to offer the developers your feedback on this email address. Please feel free to keep sending us copies of your messages via our email address. It’s really helpful for us to assess how our community is feeling.
SCAN believes there are still a lot of unanswered questions on all of the above issues that you've raised. We continue to work alongside the WPCA, who have extensive experience and planning knowledge and are pushing the developers for detailed responses. Together we hope to achieve a sensitive and appropriate outcome for the site, in line with our six community planning principles.
Please continue to tell the developers what you think and ask questions. This is our neighbourhood and we can influence what is built on the site.
Merry Christmas to you all -
from everyone in SCAN.
We will be back in the New Year.
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