Residents rally to development consultation

Residents of West Felton have had the opportunity to consider preliminary proposals for residential development in the centre of West Felton and have their say on the way ahead.

More than 80 residents from the parish attended a public consultation meeting on Saturday 25 June to view and discuss outline plans presented by Balfours Property Professionals on behalf of the Tedsmore Estate.

Karine Swanson, head of planning at Balfours, explains: “We are delighted with attendance and the interest generated in the scheme. Our aim is to ensure that the design of the scheme should reflect the priorities of local people and this meeting proved that given the opportunity to participate, local people can make a really useful contribution to the overall design from the outset.

” “The initial scheme on display illustrated 150 homes phased over a 10 year period with a range of community facilities on land North of Tedsmore Road. The meeting was an opportunity for local people to tell us how the scheme could be improved and there was a wide range of useful ideas ranging from house type suggestions, alternative access arrangements and specific ideas about which community facilities the local people wish to see

” The scheme incorporates a potential site for a new primary school – the current school being significantly overcapacity and unable to cope with those wishing to attend. Additional community facilities illustrated included a village green, playground, junior sports field, bowling green and associated pavilion.

Rory Galliers of Balfours added: “Those attending the consultation received a questionnaire so that, as agents for the Tedsmore Estate, we can understand what is important to residents and can take account of what they tell us in formulating the best possible design solution for this site. “It is important to reassure everyone that this initial meeting was only the beginning of the process; we expect to refine our ideas as a direct result of the feedback received at the meeting and from the questionnaires which people kindly filled in. I would like to thank all the people who took the trouble to attend and help us with constructive criticism and local knowledge to try to get the best scheme possible on this site. “

Anyone who was unable to attend the meeting but would still like to see copies of the drawings on display, should call Balfours on 01743 241181 or email lucygoff@balfours.co.uk