Report on Planning Meeting, 16th January, 2008

Residents in the area of Granville Avenue may like to know of one decision and one further consideration which arose from the meeting.

1) Fencing the school playing fields. The internal application, considerably changed to meet requests and objections of residents, was granted. The scheme now excludes the fencing along the western boundary, including houses in Pen-y-Bryn Way, and the fencing behind houses on Granville Avenue.

Thus what the scheme now entails is high fencing along two sides of the cricket ground, plus a fence running from the cricket ground westwards along the side of the tarmac area.

2) Developments at woodyard and Handyman House. The decision on this application has been deferred until February 6th, when there will be a site meeting 3.30. (Residents may smile at the timing - a traffic peak when planning officers will see how busy the road is and what extra traffic and parking could produce!)

It should be said that while Councillor Meredith has been very busy in listening to electors and consulting officers, by virtue of the fact that he is a member of the Planning Board and according to the (ridiculous) rules laid down, he could not speak on the issues. We are grateful that Councillor Stanton spoke very persuasively and effectively on behalf of local residents.

As the result of tireless work, including frequent contacts with officers, the two councillors with colleagues have met electors' concerns on the school fencing, and there is the prospect that the building application may yet come to reflect local wishes more completely.