Plans for 60 apartments in Newport have been slammed by the town’s planning committee who said they wont be pressured into approving the application.
Birmingham Developers McCarthy and Stone have lodged the application for 54 sheltered apartments and six affordable apartments for the elderly at derelict land on Stafford Street car park.
At Newport Town Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday, Town Mayor Councillor Roy Scammell said it was important the future of the town was taken into account.
He said: “The site has been derelict for 10 years and if we walk away it could be derelict for another 20 years.”
But Councillor Glyn Gratton said the committee should not be swayed by the need to fill the space.
He said: “We can’t be pressured into something that we feel is wrong.
“We are here to represent the people of the town. The people who will be living close by and I know they are concerned about the over development of the site.”
Councillor Gratton added the plans overshadowed neighbouring houses and said the build would be cramped.
He said: “I have had people coming to me and they’re very concerned. We don’t want to chase developers away but there’s genuine concern by people living in the town.
“There are going to be 60 units, which could mean 120 people living there and there’s limited parking.
“They said they would like to attract elderly people who don’t drive but what about visitors and doctors who would be coming there?”
Concerns were also raised over the height of an archway that leads into the parking area of the development, with Councillor Phil Norton claiming the plans needs ammending.
He said: “It’s overdeveloped because the amount of sheltered apartments there and the height is an issue because if you live over the road they are looking down at the other houses so that’s an issue of privacy.”
And Councillor Gratton added the current planned gap could not fit an emergency vehicle.
“I’m concerned that the only way in is a very low archway and it will restrict anything that’s very large,” he said.
“Certainly a fire engine would not have got through. And anyone delivering to these properties, whether it’s a super market or piece of furniture, they will always have to stop on the double yellow lines out there.
“I would also question the amount of amenity space, but the time you take out the 21 parking spaces, there’s very little outdoor space that elderly people could use.
“There could be 120 people living there and there could be very little space for them to sit outside.
“These people will be old and they have all the time in the world and there’s nothing outside for them if they want to sit and have a cup of tea and talk to their neighbours.”
The planning committee have raised the concerns withTelford & Wrekin Council who will make a final decision on October 22.
By Jason Lavan
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