|
THE architect behind controversial plans to build homes in a Lyme Regis wood said he has been faced with nothing but ‘suspicion and hostility’.
It comes as Lyme Regis Town Council backs campaigners calling for the Pound Street wood to be preserved for the community.
Lyme Regis architect Stuart Case has produced designs on behalf of landowner Quentin Craven for two low energy timber-framed houses.
The plans went before the town council’s planning committee last Wednesday amid calls from objectors to reject the scheme, Councillors decided to recommend refusal of the plans and the final decision will be made by West Dorset District Council.
Town clerk Mike Lewis said: “The emphasis of the committee’s concern was directed towards safeguarding the future of this woodland habitat which is prominent in the townscape, rather than any issues connected with the scale, design or positioning of the proposed dwellings.”
Councillors also said parking provision for two vehicles would take up an area which could otherwise be used for regeneration of the woodland, and the creation of vehicle access would mean the loss of ‘scarce town centre on street parking’.
But Mr Case said the council failed to address the main planning issue – the preservation of trees.
He said: “Some people are saying you preserve them by not building on it. Ok, but someone then has to look after them.
“The council was offered the site to have for the community and they didn’t take it because of the cost. So somebody has got to come up with the cost of not only the purchase but also the cost of maintaining the wood year after year.
“I suspect the Woodland Trust simply wouldn’t take it on because it’s too small.”
Mr Case said the development would result in the loss of nine trees – some of which are unhealthy – but many would be replaced.
“The whole point of our scheme is to generate enough money from the development of the site to be able to get the trees to a state where they are safe, retained and have a life for the next 100 years,” he said.
Mr Case and Mr Craven are facing strong opposition from neighbours, who say the best way to preserve the wood is not to build on it.
Mr Case said: “It just looks to me like people on the lifeboat stamping on the fingers of the people that want to get into it.
“We are trying to do a scheme that is building houses to retain these trees and we are just faced with suspicion and hostility.”
The architect said claims the houses would be used as holiday homes are ‘absolute rubbish’. He added: “There are duties with it to look after the trees.”
|
News Stories 
