Developer pushes ahead with plan for 209 new homes on Plymouth factory site
PLANS to build more than 200 new homes on an old factory site would create traffic and crime headaches, say city planners.
But developers Taylor Wimpey have rejected a plea to delay their application. The Exeter-based company is pushing ahead with proposals to build 209 homes, along with shops, offices, restaurants and cafes, drinking establishments and a hot food takeaway. The development would be on the site of the old HellermanTyton factory and the former Merchant Navy industrial unit in Pennycross Close in Plymouth.
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The site has a chequered history. It was a greyhound track between 1928 and 1931, and then a speedway track until 1970. In 1972 consent was given to develop it for industrial and warehousing purposes.
It has been vacant since HellermanTyton moved to Plymouth International Medical and Technology Park in August last year.
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Planners are advising members of Plymouth's planning committee to reject the application when they meet next Thursday.
The 209 dwellings would include 27 two-bed apartments, 45 two-bed houses, 102 three-bed houses and 35 with four bedrooms. Taylor Wimpey is offering to build 52 affordable houses, or 25 per cent of the total.
Planners said there were too many apartments and too few four-bed houses, and that under city rules there should be at least 30per cent affordable housing, or 63 dwellings. The council's highways authority said the development would add about 5per cent to traffic levels in some of the surrounding roads. The traffic lights at the Honicknowle Lane/Ham Drive junction would need to be improved because of an increase in peak-hour traffic.
The development would also have an impact on Outland Road, which the council has no plans to improve, so planners say the developer should look to reduce the number of car trips it generates.
Improvements would also be needed to the junction of Ham Lane and Langstone Road.
Devon and Cornwall police are against the scheme. They say it borders a "challenging area" for policing, and security should be paramount.
Crime and anti-social behaviour are high in an area of a one-mile radius from the site.
But most of the proposed houses do not have gable end windows so there will be no overlooking of vulnerable areas like roads and public open spaces.
Planners will tell the committee: "It had become clear by November that the scheme still had serious issues to resolve.
"The applicants were invited to withdraw the scheme to allow both sides time to address the issues. They were advised that there was insufficient time, within the statutory 13 weeks planning application period."
Taylor Wimpey declined to withdraw the scheme, and instead made significant changes to the layout and design. Planners say these improve the development but should be part of a fresh planning application.
Comments
by raglanron1
Sunday, December 30 2012, 6:31PM
“Nikgee hits matters on the head when he says too many people live too close to chill out. Families need living space and good sized rooms. Some may have been lucky to have 2 cars, and their visitors may want to park somewhere to call on them. It ends up with a great jumble of parking on the pavements blocking access & is no fun to live around. These aspects seem to be regularly overlooked by developers, striving to maximise their returns. Like the bankers that have been castigated, developers too should be brought to book for not creating enough living and breathing space, together with some leisure play area for the children too.”
by sssss2010
Sunday, December 30 2012, 5:10PM
“Nikgee, all houses are affordable to someone, and some houses are unaffordable to others.”
by shipmateron
Sunday, December 30 2012, 4:33PM
“Making it a dog track again is an excellent idea. I've had many a good night out down the dogs in my time. You can get dressed up, have a flutter, some decent grub and a skinfull. The good thing about a dog track round here is that on the rare nights I don't pull a sort, I can finish the evening down Stonehouse. Back of the net!”
by GreenGOM
Sunday, December 30 2012, 2:54PM
“@jabbathebutt
Why on earth would they have to be local??? How about that they have to be in employment instead?”
by jabbathebutt
Saturday, December 29 2012, 10:37PM
“As long as they will go to "locals" I dont care .”
by Nevman
Saturday, December 29 2012, 6:08PM
“"Our say" might have a little more clout if more than seven out of the 94 notified residents, or indeed anyone else living in the surrounding area, had bothered to write letters of representation to the council.
Moaning here doesn't change anything - it's not the Herald that makes the decision.”
by blonde_ray
Friday, December 28 2012, 9:18PM
“You know as with all developments, our say is not regarded as significant”
by pogle63a
Friday, December 28 2012, 7:51PM
“Of course the council are going to vote to reject anything that will take potential customers away from their own Plymouth Community Homes, Sprawl they are building just down the road.
It seems that the Council will bend over backwards to help their buddies in the new PL2 developement. At the moment they are struggling to sell off houses and flats in the new `Swilly` for £110 000 and upwards.
Last thing the council needs or wants is 200 more potentially better located house going up just up the road.
Just another example of corruption in office and the Council feathering its own nest.”
by Laid_Back
Friday, December 28 2012, 5:14PM
“Make it a dog track again. Possibly with speedway, banger and tractor-racing thrown in.”
by Nikgee
Friday, December 28 2012, 4:25PM
“Define "Affordable"... the average Plymouthian does not earn enough money as minimum wage is all they can expect. I agree it causes rat runs with the traffic especially if it is what I term a lollipop estate with one access point to the estate.
There used to be a time, still within living memory, when the local area leaders were asked about regeneration of the local area, Devonport comes to mind... but it seems to be the norm where the local population is totally ignored by developers and planners.
The fundimental problem with todays society is that everyone is living too close to everyone else and have no chill out areas.
This will no doubt have a Tesco type store plonked nearby killing any other potential business.
Ask the community what they want and not the developers”