Support
Brentwood Local Plan 2016 - 2033 (Pre-Submission, Regulation 19)
Representation ID: 22231
Received: 09/03/2019
Respondent: Mr Ian Patterson
Very supportive of residential development but concerned at proposed density (55)
Elderly care/housing provision to be prioritised.
Bendy nature of road, heavy congestion at peak times plus a busy hospital means on-site parking provision must meet Brentwood Councils minimum standard (Policy BE17)
The land drops away significantly from the road. We suggest low-rise properties on the roadside that compliment the existing adjoining properties and character of the road, with taller properties further back consistent with the existent buildings on the site.
Protection for road-side Oak Trees plus trees on site is important. Public Open Space Policy to be complied with.
We support the development of residential housing on the land currently occupied by the defunct Blood Service Centre in Crescent Drive. We believe that such a development, if sensitively delivered, will enhance the immediate vicinity whilst at the same time providing a much needed addition to the local housing stock.
We wonder whether any consideration had been given to residential care homes, retirement homes etc given the high number of elderly residents in the area, keen to downsize but remain local. Keeping local elderly residents happy whilst at the same time freeing up significant numbers of large properties in the area seems to us a win/win situation.
Density of housing is a key area of concern. Only 29 dwellings currently exist in the road (plus the Hospital) and therefore a further 55 dwellings will create a lot more traffic, noise, pollution and congestion etc.
Parking will be a significant issue if not contained within the development and compliant with the minimum standards set by Brentwood Council Policy BE17. Crescent drive itself is an s-shaped road with limited visibility on its numerous bends. It has a very busy community hospital where parking is already a major issue and is one of three main routes between Shenfield and Brentwood already gridlocked at peak times. Parking is not allowed along its entire length from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday at present reflecting the busy nature of the road and the need for access to be maintained to the hospital.
With minimum walking distances of 15-20 minutes to both Shenfield and Brentwood Town Centres and easy access to both M25 and A12/A127 car ownership/usage in the new development will be high.
Given the topography of the land which falls away considerably from the road (Crescent Drive) we believe it to be sensible to have low rise properties (maximum three storey) facing Crescent Drive itself and in keeping with the nature of road itself, whilst developing taller, more populous dwellings further back in the site, which of course is exactly what the Blood Bank building itself has done, the precedent therefore already exists.
We are keen that the design of the buildings and the quality of materials used to construct them are high, in keeping with the local area and that the building line should follow that of adjoining properties
Provision of open space is important and needs to be compliant with existing Brentwood Policy.
Finally, the pleasant nature of Crescent Drive is in no small part due to its leafy nature ith numerous trees. Two large mature Oak Trees were recently removed from the roadside outside the Blood Bank due to them being diseased. There now are only two Oak Trees bordering the site and the Road which we believe should be protected to ensure that they are retained.