2:30pm Wednesday 10th March 2010
PLANS to build 16 affordable homes in Worcester have been approved despite concerns about the new properties overlooking neighbours’ gardens.
Worcester Community Housing (WCH) said the development on land at the back of 22-64 Ennerdale Close, Warndon, would help to stop travellers illegally pitching up on the site.
Eighty-three lettable gar-ages, 31 of which are currently being used, will be demolished to make way for 14 two-bedroom houses and two three-bedroom houses.
Some residents, 12 of whom had signed a petition to keep the garages, claimed they were told about the plan only a week or so ago.
At Worcester City Coun-cil’s planning committee meeting Stewart Mountfield, WCH’s chief executive, said: “We are aware some people don’t want the houses there, don’t want two-storey properties and are concerned about overlooking.
“I appreciate that but I still believe this is an acceptable design.
“No matter where you build or what you build there will always be people who don’t want that. We accept that.”
While WCH said it would install a two-metre high fence to separate and screen properties, some people in Langdale Drive said the natural gradient of the land in that area meant the properties in Ennerdale Close would overlook their back gardens and homes.
In a bid to minimise the impact, Mr Mountfield said the new homes would be built at an angle and the main rooms would be located at the front of the house.
Members of the committee asked whether trees or hedging could be planted to help with screening.
Mr Mountfield, initially reluctant to support the idea due to future maintenance issues, eventually agreed to discuss the matter with planning officers.
Committee chairman Councillor Robert Rowden said people living in Langdale Drive could plant whatever they liked in their own gardens if they wanted more privacy.
After hearing concerns from residents in Langdale Drive, Coun Mike Layland asked WCH if it had considered building bungalows.
Mr Mountfield said it had but that the housing need in that area of the city leant itself to multiple bedroom houses.
Meanwhile, many members of the committee said they thought the scheme was a good one and all of them ended up voting in favour of it.
A total of £14,763 will now be put towards improving sports and play facilities, as well as allotments and other open spaces in the area, as part of the development.
Your Worcester News was the only member of the media to attend this meeting.
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