Liberal Democrat Councillors are disappointed with the Planning Inspector’s decision to allow the development of two hundred new homes at Pitt Manor, off Romsey Road.
Lynda Banister, Liberal Democrat City Councillor for Oliver’s Battery, the neighbouring ward, commented; “This decision flies in the face of considerable local opposition to this development. The Inspector seems to have brushed aside significant local concerns about the impact of such an increase in traffic on local roads which are already too congested. He has also ignored the impact on local schools, which are significantly over-subscribed and having to make emergency arrangements for this September’s intake of children.”
Councillor Lucille Thompson, whose City Council ward covers the area to be developed, added, “Whilst we welcome the contribution this development will make to the supply of affordable housing in the City, we are disappointed that the Conservatives’ much-vaunted cry of ‘localism’ seems to have had no influence in this planning decision. We will keep a close eye on the details of the plans as they go on to the Planning Committee, which now has to agree the finer details of the development. We will continue to push for more ways to encourage walking and cycling from the site, and ensure that maximum contributions are wrung out of the developers towards local facilities and essential road and footpath improvements.”
