Donnington Parish Council

Report from Donnington Parish Council Planning Committee, following well attended public meeting at Donnington Parish" Hall

Planning Application D/06/00826/OUT – 84 and 88 Stockbridge Road

 

Donnington Parish Council wishes to OBJECT to this application.

Character

The proposal would be out of character in this area, where the only flats (very few) are converted houses, and this would set a precedent, if allowed, for any other owners of large houses to do the same, which would totally change the nature of the village. It would be out of character with neighbouring single residence buildings. The proposed building line is considerably in front of the rest of road.

Traffic/Parking

Parking is seen by local residents as a real problem. We understand that the road and lay-by referred to in the plans as being available for parking for the three proposed 1 bed flats which will not have designated spaces on the site, are rarely, if ever, empty at present. There have also been serious problems with parking and access on Grenville Gardens in the past which have entailed the police being contacted, as there is insufficient width for parking and access and already scarcely enough access for emergency vehicles. There are also existing problems with traffic on Stockbridge Gardens and Stockbridge Road, worsened during rush hours by ‘rat runners’ who block access from Grenville Gardens and the other roads off Stockbridge Gardens and Graydon Avenue. There would need to be an alternative exit from the site for emergency vehicles. It can already take 20 minutes to get from Wiston Avenue to the Stockbridge roundabout at busy times. Some residents are concerned about their security as they feel that the proposed car park would be secluded and could shelter possible intruders. If outline permission were to be granted, the Council is concerned about the lack of parking anywhere in the area for construction staff – parking would have to be made available on-site as ALL possible parking spaces in Stockbridge Gardens and the surrounding area are used during the working week by car commuters who park and walk into the City.

Air quality

The Council is concerned about the air quality at the roundabout which is already very poor, with the highest recorded pollution in southern England, any further building can only make the situation worse.

Water shortage

There is also a concern that as the South of England is currently very short of water any proposed development should provide the infrastructure before any additional building takes place. Chichester District Council officers have stated many times that there will be no further development on the Manhood Peninsula until the congestion problems associated with the A27 are sorted out, and we would wish to hold them to that.

Permanent residency

If outline permission was granted the Council would wish to have an assurance that the homes will be for permanent residence for the benefit of local people and not used as holiday homes.

Privacy

Should outline permission be granted the Council would ask that any window which may overlook existing properties be fitted with obscured glass.

Saskia Heasman Chair Planning Committee