A narrow lane at Gorsty Hill, Tean, at the centre of a 5 year dispute with residents, the landowner and the the district council, is finally making progress.
The land owner claims that the road has been used for commercial use and local residents claim it has only been used for agriculture.
The landowner, a former porcine farmer, has obtained planning permission to build three houses on disused land at the top of this road. COGNEWS can confirm this road is only 2.5m wide which is not suitable for commercial trucks and lorries. The resident told us that they have no fire cover as a fine engine could not pass. Similarly their rubbish and recycling has to be collected by a small council truck, because the larger vehicles cannot get through. The planning committee mini bus could not even get up this road to complete their assessment.
Invited to attend an onsite meeting between residents, Councillor Mark Deaville, Highways officer Paula Lees, and Councillor Buckley COGNEWS can confirm that some headway has finally been made.
The group of 5 residents were officially informed that no certificate of land change of use has been issued from agricultural to commercial allowing highways to approve the road for extra housing. The visit revealed no signs of commercial activity having ever taken place, with only an agricultural shed and some disused pig sties visible. The meeting moved down the hill to a very dangerous T junction which COGNEW was informed doesn't meet DMRB regulations. Mr Smith, local resident, and campaigner on this issue, stated that he has almost had a three car accident pulling out of his lane. At this point Councillor Deville stated 'This is important to us, nothing is more important than safety. He continued, 'We will have another meeting, and I shall ask for a full investigation from head of planning Ben Haywood'.
Residents told COGNEWS they fear another 6 possible cars using this road will cause serious accidents if building is allowed to go ahead. People in our town and outlying areas have had to wait many months, sometimes years, for planning application decisions enduring mixed messages from planning officials, whilst over height buildings, and no infrastructure improvements for developments plague our town. This particular application was, residents informed us, decided overnight, the applicant having been previously refused planning permission.
If Councillor Deaville's investigation proves wrongful action has taken place, we will have another serious incident added to a growing list of issues with our planning and building governance. If the action is proved correct then fatalities and serious collisions on this junction are likely to follow, and will be on the hands of the decision makers. It's not surprising this has run on for 5 years and we are pleased that Councillor Deaville is not shying away from leading this difficult discussion. We await the investigation's progress with interest.
Residents progress with planning nightmare - Gorsty Hill Tean
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