Homes lead to pavement row (From Gazette Series)

Homes lead to pavement row

A PAVEMENT in Wotton-under-Edge will have to be raised by more than two foot to meet the entrances to two new properties.

Stroud District Council approved plans for the development in Bradley Street, but Wotton town councillors have said the planning application did not show the access changes.They are complaining about approval of the application.

Cllr Paul Smith, who is also a Wotton representative on the district council, said: " Somewhere along the line there has been a cock-up and we have been left with an engineering problem that needs to be sorted out."

Cllr Gareth Kitchen said he had several concerns about the new level of the pavement.

He stated: "I raised an issue at the time about the pavement. I couldn't see how the proposed raised pavement and putting in new steps would work

"We have wheelchair users who live in the row of houses, and often the pavement and steps are blocked by parked cars. They would have to go to either end of the pavement to get off and that takes them to a corner on a busy road.

"Residents have not had a chance to voice their concerns. There was strong opposition from residents and these changes weren't included in that application. The town council were not in favour because of parking issues and I believe the highways department were not in favour either."

Town councillors have also raised concerns whether comments on applications are taken into consideration.

Cllr Simon Walker said: "I am still annoyed that we are rolling over on this. This is another instance where it seems a total waste of time attending planning meetings."

Cllr Janet Walshe added: "I think it is like all our planning meetings. I feel I have wasted my time. I used to enjoy them but now I feel discontented and I don't think anyone takes any notice."

Ian Gobey, development control manager for the district council, told the Gazette: "As far as the planning application is concerned, the plans did not show any need to change the pavement. The change is needed because of the way the developer has chosen to build the property. It is not because it is something we have missed."

He added he could not comment on the town council letter because it had not been received.