Lockwood Street Residents Put in the Picture

 

 

 

Almost fifty residents attended Friday afternoon’s meeting arranged by Driffield and Rural East Riding of Yorkshire Councillors Symon Fraser, Felicity Temple and Jonathan Owen.

 

The residents from Lockwood Street, White House Mews, Redwood Gardens, The Forge and Middle Street South were invited to meet the ERYC Planning Department Officer James Chatfield, to discuss in detail the proposed development of both a Health Centre and Housing on land to the rear of Lockwood Street.

 

Commenting after the event Symon Fraser said, “The main concerns brought forward by residents are about the increase in traffic the proposals will cause.  People are rightly asking for the increase in traffic to be addressed through a full and comprehensive traffic management plan. There are real concerns that these proposals will create a completely unacceptable grid lock on Lockwood Street, a roadway already cluttered with daytime parking.” He added, “ People also have detailed concerns about the number of houses and their impact on the existing amenity enjoyed by residents, it is very important that the developers realise the strength of feeling and the worries of the people who live adjacent to this henceforth quiet and peaceful patch of green space.”

 

Councillor Felicity Temple remarked, “Residents have a great deal of sympathy with the need to improve healthcare for Driffield and there is a general acceptance of the Health Centre proposals but residents think the additional high density housing is a step too far.  There are too many houses and frankly, the rather dull design does not compliment the existing, very important character of the surrounding area. The provision for parking on the Health Centre has not been maximised and the housing development simply does not provide sufficient space for the cars it will generate.  I share the residents’ concerns on increased traffic in this area which is already highly pressured.” Councillor Temple went on to say, “Those who live here would like to see a separate access created for the housing, perhaps directly onto Middle Street South.”

 

Councillor Fraser added, “The meeting was very useful, enabling residents to talk in detail about their concerns directly to the planning officer.  As Driffield’s East Riding Councillors we are very grateful to Mr James Chatfield from the planning department for the very practical and open opportunity he gave to residents to discuss their concerns and the issues raised by these proposals.”