Fears over plans for more homes at Redhouse (From Swindon Advertiser)
Get involved! Send photos, video, news & views. Text SWINDON NEWS to 80360 or email us
Fears over plans for more homes at Redhouse
9:40am Monday 2nd July 2012 in News By Katie Bond
Coun Peter Heaton Jones
PLANS to build more than 30 homes on land in Redhouse set aside for commercial use have been met with mixed reactions.
A planning application has been submitted to Swindon Council for permission to build 33 houses and a community building at The Village Centre.
Residents in the area originally expressed concerns that the proposal was for the land earmarked for a family pub.
However, councillors have moved to reassure them that this is not the case.
But if the application is approved, it will mean building on land that was intended for commercial use.
However, this is now deemed not to be commercially viable.
Coun Peter Heaton-Jones, (Con, St Andrews) said: “My understanding is that this application from Crest is for the new Redhouse Community Centre, plus some extra houses on land previously earmarked for commercial units which are now not commercially viable.
“There is also to be a little ‘infilling’ on a small pocket of land.
“It is not on the land intended for the pub and family restaurant.
“Ward councillors are making sure that this land is protected, and we’re still working on the developers to make sure they deliver on their promise for the pub.
“We’re keeping a very close eye on this.”
Earlier this year, the Adver revealed that residents were still fighting for the pub they were promised but Crest was holding out for a higher bid than Arkells had been offering.
Resident Steve Hall said: “Commercial units may not be viable currently given the climate, but who is to say they won’t be in a couple of years?
“And, given that as far as I am aware, Wichelstowe isn’t exactly a sell-out, is there really that much more demand for housing?
“It just seems odd to me that there is a predicted need for so much more housing in Swindon, yet almost nothing else.
All comments on the plans must be received in writing by July 16.
For further information call Ian Halsall on 01793 466156.
Comments(19)
The Artist formally known as Grumpy Old Man
says...
10:20am Mon 2 Jul 12
One thing is for sure - builders such as Crest are the ones controlling planning in this country on a massive scale. Kind of makes our local planning committees redundant doesn't it?
Bangtidy
says...
10:44am Mon 2 Jul 12
LordAshOfTheBrake
says...
12:54pm Mon 2 Jul 12
I suspect that one of the reasons the pub was left until last was that there was an expectation by the developers it would be more profitable; however the bust changed that and now they have excuses to not do it at all.
house on the hill
says...
1:46pm Mon 2 Jul 12
mrchickenman
says...
1:50pm Mon 2 Jul 12
Even Angrier Monkey
says...
2:59pm Mon 2 Jul 12
.
Traffic is currently already pretty bad at peak times.
.
This will not be improved by the endless building of houses in the area, the roads will just end up gridlocked - mark my words.
John Smith II
says...
5:14pm Mon 2 Jul 12
Random Username
says...
6:27pm Mon 2 Jul 12
Robh
says...
7:03pm Mon 2 Jul 12
There were times when housing was provided to suit the local employment needs now it seems to be cart before horse time.
I Too
says...
9:14pm Mon 2 Jul 12
The victorians didn't build thousands of houses then hope businesses would appear out of the blue ( or Bluh )
When GWR was built the houses followed to overcome a lack of accomodation
If SBC really has no influence over developers the entire organisation should disband, hand over to central government, and save us all a shed load of wasted council tax
The Oakhurst Avenger
says...
1:52am Tue 3 Jul 12
The Oakhurst Avenger
says...
2:06am Tue 3 Jul 12
The Oakhurst Avenger
says...
2:12am Tue 3 Jul 12
Always Grumpy
says...
8:25am Tue 3 Jul 12
John Smith II wrote:What's that stupid statement supposed to mean?
More cramped cardboard houses for 'toytown' then!
Even Angrier Monkey
says...
10:44am Tue 3 Jul 12
The Oakhurst Avenger wrote:So true
Only politicians want community centres so they can have a place to meet and lord it over us. The man in the street wants a pub and a restaurant.
msw
says...
11:31am Tue 3 Jul 12
Even Angrier Monkey
says...
1:09pm Tue 3 Jul 12
msw wrote:also true
Crest buy whatever they want and clearly do what they want, gridlock here we come, we need a link from North Swindon to M4 J16.
I Too
says...
1:43pm Tue 3 Jul 12
msw wrote:Agreed.
Crest buy whatever they want and clearly do what they want, gridlock here we come, we need a link from North Swindon to M4 J16.
Scrap the expensive ineffective SBC / Planning Officers
I Too says...
9:52am Mon 2 Jul 12
So the increased population will not be requiring employment or trading or services?
What a complete pile of cr4p