Scheme could set a precedent’

A PLAN to develop a site in a residential area would "stand out like a sore thumb", it was claimed on Monday evening.

Then members of Royston Town Council's planning decided to oppose the scheme which would see the development of a site in Garden Walk, Royston.

The planning application would see the demolition of a property on the site and the development of two four-bedroom properties.

But committee chairman Cllr Bill Prime said the development would dominate the surroundings and be out of character with the area.

He said it was the kind of development which seems to be part of a current trend where property which has large amounts of surrounding land is being demolished and replaced by an increased number of properties.

He said such developments would "radically alter the look" of the town.

Cllr Prime added: "It's the kind of development here that would stand out like a sore thumb."

Cllr Lindsay Davidson said, too, that the plan appeared to be part of a trend which was "extremely worrying".

She said the development would mean the site would appear to be cramped.

And Cllr Robert Smith described the scheme as a "half-hearted application".

He was concerned that the scheme had not been submitted along with a site plan.

Cllr Rod Kennedy said, however, that on planning grounds it was difficult to oppose the scheme.

He said that Garden Walk had a mix of housing and it would be difficult to say that the development would be out of character.

"I don't think we can object on planning grounds," he said.

Residents in the area had said that the scheme was an over-development and concerned that it would set a precedent for the future.

The committee, however, decided to object to the scheme as an over-development of the site.