Planning Application in Feldale Close Refused

There was a planning application in Feldale Close considered by the committee today.  I couldn't get too involved because it was a Roddons Housing Association application and I am a Board Member.    However, the committee made the right decision and turned it down.

One of the characteristics of the Avenues is the open spaces at the corners of many of the junctions, including the one at the junction with Feldale and Crescent Road that this application would have got rid of.   These spaces do a great deal to enhance the character of the area, a character that has existed for decades (my mum was brought up in the Avenues!!).  Allowing this application would have inevitably led to a number of similar applications which would have fundamentally changed the look and feel of the area giving it a real urban feel - so it was right to do this now and I thank the committee for their sensible decision.

Another aspect of this is that the application was an example of garden-grabbing, a practice that the Conservatives have pledged to end.  Hopefully a Planning Bill will see the end of this practice for ever.  Shame that the Labour Government failed to take the opportunity they had over a year ago to end it.

There is, of course, the possibility of an appeal, but given that the agent in this case was the District Council, I suspect that is unlikely.