Down's home plans battle
By Jo Deeks on Thursday, 19th October 2000.
CHALKSTONE Estate residents in Haverhill are fighting plans to build a supported house for people with Down's Syndrome close to their homes because they feel it is in the wrong place.
The Papworth Trust has applied to St Edmundsbury Borough Council for consent to build a house at Vange Place to be occupied as a supported housing scheme for five people.
Independent councillor Mabon Dane raised residents' concerns at Haverhill Town Council's Planning Committee, but said they were swept aside by other councillors who voted in favour of the plan.
Coun Dane said the committee totally ignored valid concerns raised by residents about parking and traffic problems, loss of open space and a double garage.
He also said another resident in the area with disabilities has had his life made a misery by children and felt it was not a good area for the scheme for many reasons.
"Only about four residents were actually informed of the plan, which is totally out of character with the existing housing," he said.
"Two garages are going to be lost and there is going to be terrible congestion. Ambulances and dust carts cannot get access now because of the parking.
"A house like this is going to generate a lot of traffic from visitors and helpers and there is already great concern about car crime in the area. It will be like lambs to the slaughter if you move these people in 100 yards from Strasbourg Square. I feel very sorry for the people who would be moved into this ill-conceived development.
It is not common sense to put it there," Coun Dane said.
Elizabeth Collins of Ufford Place, was one of eight residents who wrote to the committee.
She said residents were not opposed to the use of the house, but to the loss of amenity by building on the site at all.
"It is absolutely stupid to put it there. There is no access at the moment. We have no objection to the people going in there it is the loss of the open space and the parking problems," Mrs Collins said.
Mary Martin, chairman of the Planning Committee, said some of the reasons raised by residents for opposing the plan were not valid.
She would be horrified at the suggestion that the area was not suitable for such a use.
"It will provide very worthwhile accommodation for people with disabilities. it is something I think we should be welcoming into our communities and providing good back-up and support for," Coun Martin said.
The Papworth Trust has applied to St Edmundsbury Borough Council for consent to build a house at Vange Place to be occupied as a supported housing scheme for five people.
Independent councillor Mabon Dane raised residents' concerns at Haverhill Town Council's Planning Committee, but said they were swept aside by other councillors who voted in favour of the plan.
Coun Dane said the committee totally ignored valid concerns raised by residents about parking and traffic problems, loss of open space and a double garage.
He also said another resident in the area with disabilities has had his life made a misery by children and felt it was not a good area for the scheme for many reasons.
"Only about four residents were actually informed of the plan, which is totally out of character with the existing housing," he said.
"Two garages are going to be lost and there is going to be terrible congestion. Ambulances and dust carts cannot get access now because of the parking.
"A house like this is going to generate a lot of traffic from visitors and helpers and there is already great concern about car crime in the area. It will be like lambs to the slaughter if you move these people in 100 yards from Strasbourg Square. I feel very sorry for the people who would be moved into this ill-conceived development.
It is not common sense to put it there," Coun Dane said.
Elizabeth Collins of Ufford Place, was one of eight residents who wrote to the committee.
She said residents were not opposed to the use of the house, but to the loss of amenity by building on the site at all.
"It is absolutely stupid to put it there. There is no access at the moment. We have no objection to the people going in there it is the loss of the open space and the parking problems," Mrs Collins said.
Mary Martin, chairman of the Planning Committee, said some of the reasons raised by residents for opposing the plan were not valid.
She would be horrified at the suggestion that the area was not suitable for such a use.
"It will provide very worthwhile accommodation for people with disabilities. it is something I think we should be welcoming into our communities and providing good back-up and support for," Coun Martin said.
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