Draft plans fail to quell concerns over Speen development

Draft plans for the development, which is proposed in the north-west of the village close to the A34, were displayed in Speen village hall on Wednesday night to kick-start the consultation process, however failed to iron-out the concerns among residents.
In addition to the homes, the development will also see a new access road onto Bath Road, with a right-turn lane to help reduce congestion, access for emergency vehicles from Station Road, and an area of public open space which planning agent Steven Smallman said would not be developed as it was “visually sensitive”.
Several residents have voiced their concerns over the increase in traffic, the positioning of new roads and schooling, with three of the four most local primary schools already at capacity according to ward member Marcus Franks (Con).
Residents Greame Lowe and Julie Heneghan, who own properties on an unnamed road from Bath Road, said they intend to form a community action group against the development.
Mr Lowe, who purchased his house in December unaware of the plans, said: “Bath Road is hell on earth, I don’t know how they are going to get more cars on it.
“We don’t have any infrastructure in Speen, all we have got is a pub. All the amenities for the people in that housing estate are going to have to drive therefore increasing the trips on the road.
“As a community action group you have got far more voice.”
Ms Heneghan, who said she would not have brought her property in March had she known of the development, added: “I think some of the residents don’t think it’s going to happen because there has always been that threat of something.”
The plans also caused dismay for plot holders at Speen allotments, who would be required to move for the development, and voting slips have already been issued among its members to allow them to vote for or against it.
Plot holder of 12 years Jim Birch said: “If it is taken off us, I will leave.
“It takes years to get right.
“There’s quite a few who have said ‘if it moves then I’m gone.’”
On behalf of Sutton Estates, Jonathan Russell, who is also a member of Speen Parish Council, said that no formal plans would be submitted until the public had voiced their concerns.
He said: “It’s a consultation process so we are going to [consider] the views and the issues raised by the stake holders and local residents [and] respond to those views.”
To respond to the public consultation, email your views to feedback@pvprojects.com