We read Councillor Luke Ives’ column in last week’s Gazette & Herald and agree with some comments he made.

Many Commercial Street residents and the town council are opposed to using the ATS site for such dense housing. Not only is it on a flood plain, but it will likely cause congestion, parking problems and loss of trade.

We cannot understand how the planning committee could pass it. Redevelopment for retail or commercial use would be much more appropriate.

We also read the proposed development by Gladman for 100 homes in Langton Road. If, as the planning department tells us, we fall short of our five-year housing supply then surely this is a much more appropriate solution.

The development in Langton Road would not be building on a flood plain, would not cause traffic congestion, and would give residents public open space, including a play area, which the ATS cannot provide.

The Gladman development would be an appropriate density, giving people living space and room to breath as apposed to cramming many people into the ATS site, which we can only see as potentially problematic.

Keith and Vivienne Nicholson, Norton

• Councillor Luke Ives’ column>>

 

• With reference to the article by Karen Darley in the Gazette & Herald January 21, I wish to state my support for the ATS development.

With the facility having undercroft parking for residents, I cannot envisage any parking problems caused in Commercial Street, in fact I think it will help to alleviate the problems we currently face.

As to the possibility of flooding, I do not recall any problems in this area since we had the big floods of 1999/2001, and since then flood defences have been installed, which seem to be working perfectly.

Traffic issues were not a problem when ATS was in residence, then we had all shapes and sizes of vehicles including HGV’s.

The comment made by Councillor Ives regarding Councillor Shields supporting the application, to me was sour grapes, would he have made the same comment had she spoken against the application?

In support of this application, I feel that it will improve the area, instead of leaving it in a derelict state.

Ken Fisher, Norton

• Flood of concern as homes plan for former ATS tyre depot in Norton is approved>>