New road danger fears (From Gazette Series)

New road danger fears

EMOTIONS ran high at Kingswood Parish Council on Monday, with a delegation of residents "seriously concerned" about the effect proposed industrial development may have on their lives.

Five people from Charfield Road were there to discuss a planning application for three units next to Abbey Mills trading estate.

On behalf of residents Lin Williams said: "We are very concerned about this proposal. Whichever way this development goes, the added traffic is going to be coming out onto Charfield Road."

Chairman Cllr David Hatton explained that outline planning permission had existed on the site since 1986.

"There is entitlement for the applicant to exercise the consent which exists," he said. "For planners to now say that the land cannot be development is not an option."

Mrs Williams argued it was already dangerous to walk along Charfield Road and any more development would be detrimental to the lives of families living there.

"It seems to be a fait accompli that this is going to happen," she added. "A lot has changed since outline planning was granted in 1986 and I think if it was applied for now outline planning would not be given."

Residents have campaigned for a footpath and have also tried to prevent a planning application for new access and development on a residential site. Both campaigns have failed.

Mrs Williams added: "I have spoken to every resident in Charfield Road today and everyone said there is no point in fighting this application because they do not listen to us.

"We fought so hard for the footpath - something that was really important to us and highways refused our request. It is already terrifying to walk along Charfield Road and we just want to know where we can go for help, what can we do to help ourselves?"

Gloucestershire county councillor Dr John Cordwell explained footpaths were built on a priority basis, adding: "The Charfield Road project would cost around £130,000 and it was not seen as a high enough priority compared with other footways in the county."

Mrs Williams appealed to parish councillors for help, adding: "It is very, very dangerous on Charfield Road. We take our lives into our own hands every time we walk down it. We are concerned that this latest development will just increase our problem."

Discussing the planning application later, councillors noted the land has earmarked for industrial development.

Cllr Hatton stated: "This parish council did not object to the land being marked as an industrial development opportunity in the local plan.

"But we have heard, and are aware of, the fact that all the residents of Charfield Road have raised traffic concerns."

Following a lengthy discussion the council noted the plans apparently did not conform to an historical technicality relating to the boundary of the property.

The council unanimously agreed to object to the application on the basis it did not appear to conform to boundary constraints.

Members stated that, if the objection was deemed invalid, they would like to see development conditions.

Said Cllr Hatton: "The council would like to note that all residents of Charfield Road have raised concerns over the traffic. We would also like to raise concerns about environmental and noise pollution. Conditions should include a contribution to the cost of the pavement, restrictions to hours of use and defined landscaping."