Brackenbury development could overshadow homes

Residents' fears over plans for 26 flats and 25 houses

Brackenbury residents are concerned about a developer’s plans to build a 26 flats and 25 hourses as part of a multi-million pound scheme in the heart of Brackenbury Village.

Developer Londonnewcastle, also hopes to get planning permission to build 11 commercial units. The flats, houses and units will back onto homes in Dalling, Brackenbury and Goldhawk Roads.

The development is planned for the industrial estate at the north end of Brackenbury Road. The home of Fruit Towers, where Innocent drinks are based, the estate also backs on to Brackenbury School.

Residents are concerned that if the development goes ahead their homes will be overlooked, and they will be bothered by traffic, parking stress, noise, light pollution, security problems and intrusion.

A Facebook group has been set up so that Brackenbury people can voice their concerns over the application at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42160945966.

The scheme will include four new buildings: three terraces between two and three storeys comprising of 25 houses and one four-storey building over basement.

The four-storey building contains 11 commercial units and 26 flats, (16 private flats and 15 shared ownership flats) ranging from studios to 4 bed units.

There will also be  basement parking for 56 vehicles (52 for the residential and 4 for the commercial) and  four surface level car parking spaces.

To find out more, go to www.lbhf.gov.uk and search the planning applications database using the reference 2008/03590/FUL . Comments on the application can also be emailed to the council.  

Labour councillor Stephen Cowan said he hoped the residents who opposed the scheme would meet with more success than in other controversial developments such as the Hammersmith Grove 'Armadillo', which was granted planning permission by Conservative-controlled Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

He said: “It’s worth noting that Londonewcastle have hired the PPS Group, a firm of local government lobbyists professing to be the “UK's first and is its foremost supplier of lobbying, communications and consultation advice to the property industry

"PPS are best known to local residents after having acted for the developer on the highly contentious Hammersmith Grove Armadillo.”

January 11, 2009