Development of 80 new homes in Southwell rejected by town councillors
A development that would bring 80 new homes to Southwell has been rejected by town councillors.
The re-submitted application for the land off Lower Kirklington Road was met with the same concerns it was previously rejected for, despite changes.
At a meeting of the full town council, members suggested improvements on the flood mitigation scheme, its impact on wildlife and the countryside, as well as access points to the Southwell trail.
Member of the town council, Peter Harris, said: “The layout is much better, it is a better mix if housing.
"There is a better location for some of the affordable housing and I am happy to see we have a roundabout, rather than traffic lights (at the entrance of the site).
“Rather, my concern is the footpath at the east of the site, because although it looks like it is being continued on the map, it isn’t.
"They are proposing to shift it to the west side and if you look carefully at the footpath, it will be be extending.
"The precise wording is re-routing, and I think that is deliberate.
"We ought to be getting a right of way onto the site, because if you start blocking off access to the Southwell trail, it won’t be used."
David Martin, also a member, said: "More work needs to be done.
"With 80 more dwellings in the town it will put pressure on the medical services and the schools."
A member of the public, Mrs Oakley, of Kirkby Close, shared Mr Martin's views.
"With this proposed site and the recent development on Halam Road, has provision been made for more people potentially using the only doctors facilities?," she said.
"Can our two primary schools cope with many more children?
"The morning and after school congestion this may cause as the proposed houses will not be situated within quick and easy walking distance.
"It will potentially see an extra 160+ cars on our local roads.
"The roads will deteriorate and be in an even worse state of repair and in town parking facilities may become insufficient."
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