The Council’s planning board has rejected an application to build flats at the top of Smithies Field on Grimesthorpe Road after objections from residents.
Since 2005 the developers, Redwall, have put in several applications to develop the land in the hope of building one- and two-bedroom flats.
One application was conditionally granted while two others were rejected.
Redwall are appealing against this and a public enquiry is still pending. Now a further application has just been turned down.
Grimesthorpe damaged
Nearby residents were angered by the developers’ approach, as they cut down valued trees and cleared green space before their planning applications had been considered. Distressed residents appealed to the Council and ‘Tree Preservation Orders’ were put on the remaining mature trees.
The Council received 80 letters from residents objecting to the most recent application. Their concerns formed a large part of the report to the planning board which was used to make the final decision.
The residents argued that the site was not ‘brownfield’ (previously built on) as maps dating back to the early 1800s showed only one house, which had extensive gardens and greenhouses.
This was later home to a cricket pitch and pigeon coops which were dismantled in the 1980s and the land was left to nature and became woodland. Planning officers took up their well considered arguments and rejected the application on the grounds that it is classed as ‘greenfield’ and cannot be built on.
Local resident Pat Eckhardt told the Messenger:
“I can’t believe it. It’s like everything we wanted has happened. Now I’m wondering what we can do to repair the damage done by the developers.”
Residents can only wait to see what Redwall will do next, but with the planning board taking a strong stance against the development it looks unlikely to go ahead.
by Rohan Francis & Lisa Swift