|
Following a meeting of the town council planning committee, Buckingham town councillors have thankfully opposed the building of 700 new homes to the south of the town. Plans had been submitted by Hallam Land Management a few weeks ago to the surprise of many in the town, despite claims of "local support" following a display of the proposals in June. The issue is not yet dead though, with the recommendations of the committee now being put to the AVDC for a final decision.
The article in the Advertiser reads as follows: Plans for 700 new homes on land adjacent to the Buckingham ring road have been opposed by Buckingham town councillors. The potential impacts on the town's road network and concerns over how jobs will be created for new residents have been put forward as objections to the proposal which was submitted by Hallam Land Management last month. The concerns will be sent to Aylesbury Vale District Council, which will make the final decision on the plan. As well as 700 homes, including affordable housing, the plan includes a primary school, employment land, healthcare, outdoor playspace and provision for pedestrians and cyclists. At a meeting of the town council on Monday, concillors said the drainage and sewerage system in the area was already at capacity, there was no indication how much employment would be created on site, and the development would add to the already existing traffic problems on the ring road. Cllr Mike Smith said: "I am particularly concerned that they make reference to employment land but what jobs are there going to be? There is no mention of the number of jobs and with 700 households, you are talking about needing around 1,000 jobs." Andy Birch, senior planner at Hallam Land Management, said the firm was aware of the views of the public and town council and aimed to address any concerns and suggestions by directing them to explanatory information in the planning application and through further technical and design work. He said the plan provided for much-needed affordable housing as well as housing required for population growth within targets set by Central Government, adding: "The proposal provides for a mix of employment uses to create local jobs, community health facility, school and associated infrastructure provision for the site and beyond." Source: Buckingham and Winslow Advertiser [Issue: Friday, November 7, 2008] |
