Planning Committee – 10th June 2009

Nelson Town Council’s Planning Committee met on 10th June to consider a number of schemes recently submitted for planning consent.

The two most controversial by far are the plans to build a new centre for vulnerable members of society on the old Nelson Youth Centre site on Leeds Road, we have not objected to this, as a number of “safe houses” are being closed down in the area, and this new facility will enable the necessary services to be retained in the locality.

Most controversial by far is the propsed construction of 108 new houses on the site of the former James Nelson’s Sports Club and playing field on Wickworth Street.  Residents of both Southfield and Clover Hill will know only too well that the former ”Jimmys” site is the last piece of open green land we have within our urban boundaries in Nelson.  The planning committee viewed the proposals with a great deal of concern, and we have objected on five counts as follows:

1)  The overbearing impact the development will have on neighbouring properties.

2)  The potential traffic nightmare the site will create, with the possibility of another 180 cars clogging up local roads.

3)  The impact on residents in the greater Wickworth Street area whilst the development is under construction with the constant access requirement from heavy goods vehicles.

4)  The unsuitability of local roads to cope with the site access requirements whilst the build is underway.

5)  Our considered view that plot 69 of the proposed new estate is far too close to neighbouring properties in Priory Chase.