Charity concern for traffic if planned 100 home estate is built in Downton

We have a month left to have our say

Author: Jack DeeryPublished 9th Aug 2021

A charity in Downton say one of their main concerns about the plans to build 100 new homes**** in the village is that it will cause both vehicle and pedestrian traffic problems.

The Downton Society say the proposals have "no regard for the impact on the wider village".

They also state that it fails to "address air quality on the B3080 particularly at the pinch point".

A planning application was submitted to Wiltshire Council by Formula Land Limited on the 24th June.

An illustrative masterplan of the estate

It says they want to build the properties on land west of Breamore Road in Downton.

The new estate would be made up of 70 houses for market sale, 18 houses and flats for social or affordable rent and 12 properties for affordable home ownership.

It would also see 234 car parking spaces created.

The design and access statement says:

"The application proposals will deliver up to 100 new dwellings and thereby contribute towards increasing housing supply.

"The application proposals therefore wholly accord with the Government’s key objective of boosting the supply of housing and addressing the failings of the housing market."

The planning application states that it's design plan is:

“To produce a new living environment of the highest standard, with a clear and distinguishable character which reflects the local vernacular and contextual surroundings.

"To provide a sustainable development with a diverse range of housing to suit all needs while providing attractive open spaces."

The estate would be built on land west of Breamore Road

The applicants asked for some immediate feedback from the community and got a total of 229 responses.

They say the consultation exercise highlighted several matters that the application will seek to address. The main issues raised by the community are:

• Infrastructure and facilities - increased pressure on existing infrastructure and facilities in the village

• Traffic and highways - increased pressure on the highways system

• Drainage - impact on drainage and sewage systems

• Ecology and green space - impact of ecology and the loss of green space

• Importance of Design - importance of the design of the scheme to be considerate of the local character of the village.

• Need for affordable housing - need for affordable housing within the village and opportunities for new custom at local businesses

HAVE YOUR SAY

The public are being asked to have their say on the planning application.

You can find out more and leave your comments by going to the application on the Wiltshire Council website.

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