Planning

Since publication of the Spring Issue of Dore to Door there has been one planning matter which has been of real concern. It may be recalled that there was strong objection to a proposal to build a three storey block of flats within 10 metres of, and overlooking, the Recreation Ground an the Newfield Lane side.

We reported the travesty of a planning decision to grant permission by the chairman's casting vote at a meeting where only a handful of councillors were present.

The developer, an the strength of that decision, proposes to abandon his previous intention to build a dwelling house on the plot adjacent to the proposed flat development. He has now made a fresh application to build a three storey block of six flats on that plot.
The village now faces the prospect of two blocks of flats overlooking the Recreation Ground where, until now, there has been no property in view. A site originally intended for five houses, now could have fifteen properties all using a poor access onto Newfield Lane.
The decision of the planning committee could well have opened the floodgates for development right along the boundary. That would materially change the whole nature of the Recreation Ground. It is a pity that so little notice is taken of the interests of local people on local issues.

The decision on the latest application has not yet been made. There is still time to stop the rot.

David Heslop

Danger Reduction Schemes

Many of the traffic calming schemes that have appeared in other areas of the city have taken place either because of formal appeals from residents or as a result of road accidents. However, in addition, the City Council has a small budget to cover schemes where there are obvious dangers to road users but where accidents have not yet happened. The proposed Causeway Head Road crossing is one being covered by this budget.

As you might imagine, the demands on this budget (£100,000 for this year financial year) far exceed the funding available. Until recently, the Council had no system for giving priority to demands across the city but this omission has now been rectified. The three City Councillors for Dore are together pressing the Council to consider more local schemes - particularly the parking problem at the bottom of Dore Road.
To support this initiative, the committee of the DVS has compiled a prioritised list of six schemes, all of which have been the subject of requests and comments from residents. This list, recently displayed on the DVS notice board, is available by ringing 262 0012. If you have any comments, please contact one of the councillors or a member of the DVS committee.

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