Around about this time last year, we ventured to say that it would probably be the last time we wished our readers the compliments of the season. We figured that, by now, the new houses would be all be built and maybe even occupied. How wrong can you be? The building work continues. Sort of. Nothing seems to have happened on the site for the past three weeks and there still seems a lot to do.
However, according to the parish newsletter, three of the properties have been sold and the buyers are due to move in "by the first week in December". The newsletter adds that the site is to be known as Dragon Court.
This year, we've decided not to post our usual "Christmas Card" at the top of the Blog as we feel now is the time to move on by which we mean simply looking forward rather than backward. As one of our very sensible neighbours has pointed out, when the new people do move in they will become part of the Rough Close community.
Nevertheless we wish everyone a very merry Christmas and, you never know, we might still be here this time next year! All the very best.
Wednesday 14 December 2016
Wednesday 27 April 2016
New Planning Application Update
Apologies for this belated update. Local councillors have been consulted (not by us) and we were hoping to report more information about the status of the application which we are as yet unable to do.
However, we've looked into the new application in a bit more detail now and compared the new proposals with the previously approved plans. The main points are as reported in the earlier post: the owners wish to build living accommodation and an additional bedroom using the space previously allocated to the garages on plots 3 and 7. They also want to build a detached, single garage for plot 7 between the house and plot 2 and a single attached garage for plot 3.
The main impact seems to be on the occupants of the first house in Leadendale Lane with a potential loss of light entering the property and restricted views to the north facing side.
The detached garage for plot 7 means a reduction in its garden size and less space between plots 7 and 2.
As regards plot 3, it looks like the applicants have removed one of the trees which are shown on the approved plans in order to fit the garage in. And the siting of plot 7's detached garage looks decidedly perilous to the tree that should be planted there! Or maybe they don't intend to bother.
The documentation itself gives some cause for concern as it states the site name as the George & Dragon, Meaford! Surely, planning documentation must be completed correctly. If it isn't, what's the point in having a planning procedure?
We continue to have concerns about the failure to meet condition 19 which should have been met before development work started and should provide details of access to the development once complete. And yet here we have a proposal which affects the layout of the site and, potentially, its safety.
Like other residents, we want to see this whole saga brought to a rapid conclusion. However, safety must be a prime consideration. If you want to object you can do so in writing, via the Borough Council website (link below) or by email. The planning reference is 16/23982/FUL. Closing date is 3rd May 2016.
However, we've looked into the new application in a bit more detail now and compared the new proposals with the previously approved plans. The main points are as reported in the earlier post: the owners wish to build living accommodation and an additional bedroom using the space previously allocated to the garages on plots 3 and 7. They also want to build a detached, single garage for plot 7 between the house and plot 2 and a single attached garage for plot 3.
The main impact seems to be on the occupants of the first house in Leadendale Lane with a potential loss of light entering the property and restricted views to the north facing side.
The detached garage for plot 7 means a reduction in its garden size and less space between plots 7 and 2.
As regards plot 3, it looks like the applicants have removed one of the trees which are shown on the approved plans in order to fit the garage in. And the siting of plot 7's detached garage looks decidedly perilous to the tree that should be planted there! Or maybe they don't intend to bother.
The documentation itself gives some cause for concern as it states the site name as the George & Dragon, Meaford! Surely, planning documentation must be completed correctly. If it isn't, what's the point in having a planning procedure?
We continue to have concerns about the failure to meet condition 19 which should have been met before development work started and should provide details of access to the development once complete. And yet here we have a proposal which affects the layout of the site and, potentially, its safety.
Like other residents, we want to see this whole saga brought to a rapid conclusion. However, safety must be a prime consideration. If you want to object you can do so in writing, via the Borough Council website (link below) or by email. The planning reference is 16/23982/FUL. Closing date is 3rd May 2016.
Saturday 16 April 2016
Here We Go Again (Again). Oops, we've used that title before. Sorry!
Residents in the immediate vicinity of the new builds this week received notification that the owners of the site have submitted yet another planning application for a variation of the existing planning permission. We're still looking into the implications but in summary the owners wish to utilise the garage space for accommodation on plots 3 and 7, and build an extra bedroom on plot 7. In addition, to provide an attached garage for plot 3 and a detached garage for plot 7.
Now that might not sound too bad. However, the owners have already built the extra bedroom on plot 7 at least. The planning application is therefore retrospective.
Our initial concerns are that the conditions of the original planning permission have not yet been met so we have no idea of what the access provisions will look like and now the owners wish to take action which could lead to more people living in the houses. We have a concern that parking might be an issue.
There have been a couple of other developments as well. First of all, we understand the people who purchased plot 1 have since changed their minds and asked for their deposit back! We wonder why? Secondly, we have also been informed that there has been a break-in at one of the properties, plot 1 again, it seems. You couldn't make this up, could you? The planning permission was granted in 2010 and here we are nearly six years later still with a building site on our doorsteps.
Once we've looked into the proposals in more detail we'll let you know.
Now that might not sound too bad. However, the owners have already built the extra bedroom on plot 7 at least. The planning application is therefore retrospective.
Our initial concerns are that the conditions of the original planning permission have not yet been met so we have no idea of what the access provisions will look like and now the owners wish to take action which could lead to more people living in the houses. We have a concern that parking might be an issue.
There have been a couple of other developments as well. First of all, we understand the people who purchased plot 1 have since changed their minds and asked for their deposit back! We wonder why? Secondly, we have also been informed that there has been a break-in at one of the properties, plot 1 again, it seems. You couldn't make this up, could you? The planning permission was granted in 2010 and here we are nearly six years later still with a building site on our doorsteps.
Once we've looked into the proposals in more detail we'll let you know.
Sunday 21 February 2016
Two Down?
It very much looks like the second of the seven houses under construction has been completed. We've also heard on the grapevine that two of the properties have been sold.
Now forgive us our ignorance as we're not sure how this all works: the conditions of the planning permission have not yet been fulfilled and yet the houses can be sold? The conditions in question are that all road construction, street lighting and drainage details have to be approved before work can commence. This hasn't happened. There are also a number of other conditions that have to be met before the development is brought into use. We do hope whoever has bought the houses have got good lawyers.
Now forgive us our ignorance as we're not sure how this all works: the conditions of the planning permission have not yet been fulfilled and yet the houses can be sold? The conditions in question are that all road construction, street lighting and drainage details have to be approved before work can commence. This hasn't happened. There are also a number of other conditions that have to be met before the development is brought into use. We do hope whoever has bought the houses have got good lawyers.
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