Planning chiefs opted to push back making a decision on a controversial planning application to gather more evidence.
Councillors met on September 14 to consider granting outline planning permission for land adjoining The Spinney, at Park Prewitt.
The committee supported the proposal of homes on the land, but deferred the decision to address a number of disputes over the site. The plan has attracted widespread criticism from residents who oppose the build, with more than 500 people signing a petition seeking to block the proposed 122 homes, and 21 letters of objection being submitted to the council.
At the meeting, former magistrate Stan Parry, 76, from Winklebury, told the committee that the green space was important for the town.
He said: “For over 40 years this area has been used by the public. It is a place of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Dog walkers have used it, people have also walked it to see the wildlife. It is like an oasis in a jungle of bricks and mortar.”
But Will Cobley, a planning consultant for Terence O’Rouke Ltd, who submitted the proposal on behalf of the landowners, the Highways Agency, said the site was privately owned land blighted by anti-social behaviour.
He said: “Though there is evidence of casual use on the site, it should be stressed that it is private land and in its current form offers no public amenity value. The site is increasingly being used for anti-social activities. There’s lots of evidence on this site that people have been using it different purposes, these include there’s lots of litter on the site, cans and bottles, there’s evidence of fires and there’s evidence of vandalism to the trees.
The proposal will be reconsidered on October 19 after planning officers investigate public rights of way and transport issues.
