FURIOUS Allesley Green residents have accused a developer of a ‘sham consultation’ and going back on its promises to implement greenbelt development sensitively.
Plans for over 2,600 homes, new roads and infrastructure and retail developments on an area to the west of Allesley Green have worried local greenbelt campaigners.
Peterborough based Hallam Land Management, revealed the ‘Eastern Green Master Plan’ last month.
Woodland ward councillors have pledged their support to residents who have called for a ‘green buffer zone’ to maintain space between existing houses and new developments with many concerned they will be ‘overlooked’.
Campaigners also want clear and up-to-date measures to minimise air pollution, congestion and traffic risks in accident prone areas.
The plan is part of Coventry City Council’s local plan – a blueprint for which areas of the city will be used for housing, employment and other uses up to 2031.
Residents are concerned traffic will be directed towards the accident ‘black spot’ Hockley Lane.
Resident campaigner Peter Maddock claimed the housing allocation has increased from when plans were first outlined.
“We don’t understand how more houses can be contemplated when the increase was not considered during the modelling for the effects on traffic or pollution,” he said.
“The developers haven’t buffered the edge of the site that goes up to Parkhill Drive and Appledore Drive.
“Furthermore, it was too short a consultation period with no response to the questions that were asked.”
Woodlands ward councillor Pete Male said: “Right from the start we’ve warned this plan was a developer’s charter with no benefit to local people. We fought hard to protect the greenbelt however we accept the decision has now been made.
“They’ve planned for even more houses, created more (traffic) access points and ignored pleas from residents to maintain a buffer zone.”
The proposal was first announced in January 2016 and was opposed by Conservative councillors.
A Hallam Land Management spokesperson said: “We welcomed nearly 400 people along to our consultation event on June 19, which was well publicised.
“We have listened to all of the comments, and wherever possible they will be informing our outline planning application.
“The proposals include a buffer of trees and planting around the site edge.
“We have worked with residents associations for the last few months so we can understand what they would like to see as the green buffer.
“We have carried out a detailed traffic modelling exercise, using the ‘Coventry Area Strategic Model’ as a basis.
“The results of this will be presented in full in a Transport Assessment as part of the planning application. This will outline the mitigation measures to be provided.
“The alignment of the primary route will not be ‘straight’ to ensure the likelihood of rat running through the site is severely hampered.”
