Village wish list for housing bid (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Village wish list for housing bid

SOUTH Cerney parish council has set out a wish list of conditions it wants to see imposed if Westbury Homes' appeal to build on industrial land at Station Road is successful.

The parish council voted 6-4 in support of the appeal by Westbury Homes at an emergency meeting of the parish council following a public meeting in February.

Over 100 residents turned out to have their say at the meeting which was called to discuss whether or not the village should back Cotswold District Council's decision to refuse an application by Westbury Homes to build up to 200 new houses.

Concerns had been highlighted by councillors about the impact of the development on the local area being too great and the village's public transport links.

South Cerney parish council clerk Maurice McKee, said: "We would like to thank everyone who attended the public meeting.

"After considering all the arguments that were raised the parish council voted to write to the planning inspector informing him that opinions are divided among village residents.

"While we do not object to the principle of residential development in South Cerney we feel conditions should be imposed."

The parish council is therefore proposing that a maximum of 150 new homes are built at Station Road and that the development includes a new community hall with car parking facilities, the costs of which should be met by the developer.

Mr McKee said: "Our wish list also includes the upgrading of the main sewerage system through the village, affordable housing and the provision of traffic calming measures with the construction of a village gateway."

The parish council would also like to see a fully equipped children's playground built on the site with pedestrian, bridleway and cycle access onto Broadway Lane and a pedestrian crossing at Broadway Lane for safer access to the village school.

Mr McKee added: "We feel these issues should be addressed and made binding pre-conditions if the development gets the go-ahead."

An appeal inquiry is due to begin on June 25.