LAUNCESTON Town Councillors and residents of Hurdon Way attended the site meeting for the proposal of 207 possible new dwellings to be built in Hurdon Way, (behind Lidl's).

There was a good turn out to the site meeting held on Tuesday, August 4, which included, members of Launceston Town Council, Cornwall County Council, local residents, highway officials and site developers.

The Senior Planning Officer involved with the development made clear that the proposed houses would be strategic with 50 per cent being made affordable, this a key part of the plans.

Cllr Paul O'Brien, the Launceston Town Mayor, expressed his thoughts on the issue, saying: "I can't and don't object to the proposal as the site has already been designated for future houses, however, I oppose the poor access from the possible housing site onto the main road.

"This is because as a total development, it would have a huge effect on the town's infrastructure, with added pressure on doctors, and schools."

From the meeting it was clear that the main concern for the development was not the erection of the houses but the issue of access in and out of Hurdon Way.

A member of Launceston Town Council, Rob Tremain, also put forward his views on the development plans. He said that in some ways he was looking forward to the development however, "it must take into account neighbouring businesses such as Tesco who are planning to increase the size of their car park which would increase the amount of traffic on the roads.

"Along with the traffic that enters Lidl's, the retail park and an added 207 or more cars from the residents of the new houses would make the roads much busier and therefore, with the site being located near to the emergency services this would have to be acknowledged."

Many of the attendees at the meeting put forward their views on how the road from Hurdon Way onto Hurdon Road was dangerous.

George Logg is one of the concerned residents of Hurdon Way, as he feels the access and parking is already unsafe therefore, with " more cars, where are they going to park, there is already not enough room, with people parking on the side of the road. "It is unthinkable, especially with small children regularly playing in the street."

Resident Maria Sikorski, said: "Parking is difficult already, especially at night when everyone has come home, many don't park in their allocated spaces, it's havoc, which, is even more dangerous when children are playing."

The proposal for the new houses will be decided by Cornwall Council planners next Thursday at Liskeard.