New bid for 22 Swaffham homes
REVISED plans for a £1.5 million complex of 22 new retirement homes in Swaffham looks set to get the go-ahead, just over a year after the original proposals were thrown out.
Equity Holdings and Investments still wants to build 16 flats and six two-bedroomed houses on the former bowls green site behind Swaffham Conservative Club.
Last September Breckland Council's development control committee rejected the original plans, against the planning officers' recommendation, on the grounds of overdevelopment, inadequate access and loss of the bowling green.
The company appealed the decision and although this was dismissed in March, the appeal inspector concluded that access arrangements via Beech Close were satisfactory and the proposal would not result in overdevelopment.
Now the company has submitted revised proposals which the development control committee is being recommended to approve at its meeting on Monday.
Residents have raised objections once again, with concerns centred on increased traffic congestion, poor access and loss of the bowling green.
Swaffham Town Council has also objected about overdevelopment, access, lack of parking spaces and extra traffic, and the Open Spaces Society has raised concerns about the impact of the development on the adjacent footpath.
One change in the revised plan is that the applicant's previous offer of 15,000 to create a new green space has been increased to 40,000.
A report says: "The bowling green ceased its use some time ago due to lack of support. Given that there appears to be little, if any, local demand for a replacement bowling green, it is considered that, in this instance, a commuted sum payment to fund recreational facilities elsewhere in the locality would be appropriate."
It adds that further to discussions with the town council, the money could go towards planned improvements at the recreation ground.
Changes have also been made to the design of the development, with new windows and boundary screening to address the appeal inspector's concerns about overlooking neighbouring properties.
"While the development of an enclosed urban site such as this will inevitably have some impact on neighbours, it is not considered the development will result in serious harm in this respect," says the report.
The application also argues that the proposals would not impact on highway safety or worsen traffic conditions, given the existing and previous use of the bowls green and car park.
The site currently has space for 50 to 60 cars, but this would be reduced to 35 spaces – 15 for the Conservative Club and 20 for the new housing. The informal use of the car park by shoppers and parents collecting children from school would also stop.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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