TERRINGTON ST CLEMENT: Wildlife fears over skatepark
Controversial borough council plans for a mutli-use games area (MUGA), skate park and youth shelter in Terrington St Clement should be rejected, according to the authority’s own officials.
Planners say the proposal for the site on Benns Lane should be refused planning consent by the West Norfolk Council planning committee when they meet in Lynn next Monday, January 7.
They have raised concerns over both the effect of noise from the site on neighbouring residents, for which they say no realistic mitigating measures can be put in place, and the impact of the development on wildlife.
The area is said to be a potential habitat for both great crested newts and water voles.
And officials have called for a species survey to be carried out before any decision to grant permission is made.
They argue that the application should be deferred if committee members decide to support the plan to enable such a survey to take place. No evidence suggesting there would not be harm to wildlife as a result of the development has been submitted, the report said.
The scheme has divided villagers, with 117 letters of support being submitted to the borough council, together with a petition containing 79 signatures.
However, 42 letters of objection have also been submitted, while the parish council is also against the plan.
Supporters argue that the village urgently needs additional facilities for young people and that the development would help to combat issues relating to crime and anti-social behaviour.
They also say the MUGA would be open to all villagers to use, while other existing facilities at the Memorial Field do not have free access.
But critics say the site is unsuitable for the proposed development, which they claim is larger than a similar proposal which was withdrawn in 2010, and too close to neighbouring homes.
They also believe plans to install CCTV cameras to monitor the site would be too expensive.
Meanwhile, parish councillors say that they are working on an alternative proposal for a skate park and have liaised with village organisations about re-developing the Memorial Field facilities.
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Monday 20 May 2013
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