Royston housing schemes refused
The schemes were turned down - Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
COUNCILLORS have turned down two housing schemes which would see more than 70 new homes built in Royston.
The applications for the Fairview development north of Royston and the Ivy Farm site to the west of the town, were discussed by Royston Town Council’s planning committee on Monday.
Fairview is seeking to build 22 homes on what it refers to as site B, land adjacent to Thackeray Close. They are also seeking to remove a previous planning condition stating that they must provide alternative emergency access to the site. If granted, all traffic going to the new homes would have to use the already busy Burns Road.
Councillors had previously expressed concerns about the danger posed to pedestrians by increasing the number of cars going down Burns Road.
And speaking at Monday’s meeting, Cllr Bob Smith said: “They are attempting to justify the removal of emergency access by saying ‘there are already 1,000 houses on the estate, what difference does another 22 make?’.
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“Well, we have to draw the line somewhere, we can’t accept more traffic on Burns Road.”
The second application, for more than 50 additional homes on the Ivy Farm site, off Baldock Road, has the backing of North Herts District Council’s planning officers.
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But councillors said they were unable to support it because it remains unclear whether the land falls within Royston’s development framework, which has yet to be defined by the district council.
Cllr F John Smith said: “We should be accepting plans for ground where the district plan has not been completed. We need to be consistent.”
Concerns were also raised that bus stops had yet to be built to service the existing houses, and about the effect extra traffic would have on Baldock Road, which adjoins the estate.
“They should look at extending the 30mph speed limit right back to the end of Baldock Road,” said Cllr John Davison.
“There are too many access roads now coming onto the Baldock Road, and 40mph is too high a speed. This needs to be looked at again.”
