CONCERNS have been raised regarding plans that could see 62 dwellings and 75 units ‘sandwiched between’ Ridgegrove Hill and Kensey Valley Meadow in Launceston.

Outline planning was previously refused for up to 100 residential dwellings, a care home of up to 120 beds and a 10 unit apartment block for adults with learning disabilities, and associated works on the site (PA20/10722).

In its original design and access statement the developers St Woodrow Care Ltd say: “The application site is located on the North side of A388 and sandwiched between Ridgegrove Hill and Kensey Valley Meadow. The site comprises two fields and extends to approximately 2.5 hectares.

“It is proposed to develop a mixed development of 100 Units of varied types sizes and number of beds refer to attached site plan, this number has been fixed from the need in the area and the Local plan for this site.”

Adding: “The Care Unit has been designed after discussions with Cornwall Council Adult care and deemed to be the perfect location for an Extra Care Unit. Care for the elderly and dementia represents a major public health challenge especially within Cornwall. Over the next 10 years there will be significant demographic and social changes in Britain.

The number of people over the age of 85 is expected to increase by 50% to 1.9-million during the next decade. Extra Care Housing is housing designed with the needs of frailer older people in mind and with varying levels of care and support available on site. People who live in Extra Care Housing have their own self-contained homes, their own front doors and a legal right to occupy the property. There is a very big need for a New Extra Care unit in Launceston and The Adult care team identified this site as part of their role out for the county. There has also been identified that a need is in this area for a Learning Disability Unit.”

This proposal was refused on the grounds that it ‘represents a cramped over development of the site’ and ‘fails to provide affordable housing’.

Following this refusal the proposed development has been amended. The resubmission would now see a reduction in the number of dwellings to 62 and includes an extra care scheme of up to 75 units and associated works.

However, local residents are not pleased. In his objection to the amended scheme Simon Hargreave wrote: “My concerns with this proposed development are founded on several important issues which have not been satisfactorily explained in the supporting documents of the planning application.

“Chief amongst them is the Link Road itself.

“At present, commercial traffic using the Newport Industrial Estate enters and exits via the light-controlled junction on St Thomas Road. Inevitably the lights themselves and the considerably-increased traffic volume lead to long queues along St Thomas Road. This situation has been getting worse for some years; additionally, the Newport Square roundabout has become a serious bottleneck, with regular jams caused by HGVs and large delivery vehicles attempting to negotiate the sharp junction by Greenaways garage. The proposed new Link Road will do nothing to relieve either issue and needs to be completely re-thought.

“It seems highly likely that the new proposed Link Road would become a rat run for commercial vehicles trying to escape the current traffic snarl-up by accessing the estate from the rear —hugely increasing commercial traffic volume through the Kensey Valley residential area — with inevitable consequences for pedestrian and cyclist safety.”

He added: “Additionally, general and commercial traffic coming from the direction of Polson will grab the opportunity to avoid the narrow streets in the town by using the new Link Road, exacerbating the problem (and, incidentally, increasing vehicular particulates pollution in a residential estate exponentially).

“It seems highly likely that the existing turn-off from the A30 for Lifton will become far busier as knowledge spreads about the new route, increasing traffic in the Strawberry Fields section and along through the bends to the regularly-flooded area by the rugby club.

“Increased traffic volume inside the Newport Industrial estate means drivers will only have two options for egress; either to exit the way they came in —via the new Link Road —or to worsen the already bad situation at the St Thomas Road lights —no matter if their journey requires them to head towards Bude via the B3254 or to gain access to the A30 via Western Road.

“If more housing is seriously needed, and the earmarked site is the only acceptable location, then make it a cul de sac by ensuring that there is no junction with Ridgegrove Lane —but by so doing, be aware that the increased traffic in a residential area is bound to have considerable safety and public health consequences.“Please consider these points and reject the application.”