Plans to bulldoze Weymouth green space labelled 'community vandalism'
Aster Housing want to build new homes on the site next to Tennyson Road
A plan to bulldoze a green space in Weymouth has been branded as “community vandalism” by residents.
The grassy site next to Tennyson Road, Rodwell, with views towards the South Dorset Ridgeway, will be flattened by a housing development if approval is given by Dorset Council.
The ‘village green’ style space was set out as part of the Bradford Road Estate during a national push to build high quality ‘homes for heroes’ in the wake of World War I.
Aster Housing have asked planning permission for two open market three-bed homes on the green rather than affordable or social housing, despite the land being transferred from the former borough council along with other council homes.
Aster House say the site is unused
Aster’s claims in the planning application that “the site is unused and under-utilised” have also been met with outrage from residents, who insist that the space is used daily by children and who maintained the grass themselves during Covid lockdown.
Said eight-year-old Holly, who lives opposite the green: “I love playing on the green and hanging around there with my friends and cousins”.
Her mum, Becky, says the site is ideal because it means children not having to cross a busy road to play in safety.
Objections
Objectors to the plan to build on the green fear that Aster could make similar applications for other green spaces across the area, with a similar space on nearby Bradford Road thought to be vulnerable.
Residents are being urged to object to the planning application by February 4th making sure councillors know that they value the green, as it is. Around thirty have already done so.
Said Tennyson Road resident Kirsten Barger: “Our campaign isn’t just about this application. We are sounding the alarm on Aster Group’s approach to all green spaces transferred to them from the council.”
The campaigners also accuse Aster of failing to consult with local residents, including its own tenants with properties facing onto the proposed development.
Members of the public have until 5 February to comment on the proposals (ref 2022/07656) which can be viewed by following this link to the Dorset Council website.
Self-styled “ethical housing developer and landlord” Aster Group is one of the largest housing associations in the UK with over 32,000 homes spread across the Southwest of England.
Statement from Aster Housing
Said a company spokesman: “We regularly review our outdoor spaces, and any land that we believe to be underused is considered for sale where planning approval is agreed. The proceeds from any sales are reinvested in both our existing homes and so we can build more affordable homes as part of our commitment as a landlord with a social purpose.
“As the planning application is currently under consultation with Dorset Council, no final decisions have been made at this site.”
Dorset councillors voice concerns
Weymouth town council has raised no objection to the proposed change but Dorset Council councillor Brian Heatley and Clare Sutton are asking for the proposal to go before councillors rather than be decided by an officer.
Said Cllr Sutton: “I have grave reservations about this application on the grounds that, for the sake of just two additional houses, there will be a significant loss of amenity to local residents, the whole character of the initial design of the estate will be altered, and building on this green could potentially set a precedent for building on the other two.”
Similar views came from Cllr Brian Heatley: “On the face of it this is a simple application for two houses, but I believe it has wider implications for the local area. Tennyson Road, Bradford Road and Emerson Road form together a very distinctive sub-neighbourhood north of Chickerell Road.
"This proposal would use one of those greens, that at the eastern end. There is therefore the possibility that this application could lead to others that would destroy the character of the whole area, and I think that that is something the (planning) committee should consider. It’s not just a matter of two houses.”