I wish to bring to your attention some of the concerns that residents in this area, mainly of Brackendown and Budmouth Avenues, have with the council's 'Preferred Options' building plans for high density housing in the area, above these roads, namely 'WEY14'.
About 200 homes are in the plan, which, apart from construction chaos, will result in a very large extra number of cars and service vehicles using these narrow roads.
1) The first thing that strikes you about this most unsuitable building site are the three very narrow designated access points through farm gates, between houses.
These seem too narrow for even a two way road without pavements, that is, unless existing homes are demolished!
2) The next thing is the tortuous route down to the main Preston Road, already congested and narrowed with parked vehicles.
These roads cannot be improved to allow for such a great increase in construction, commuter and service traffic.
3) Because this hillside is riddled with springs, disturbing the groundwater flow with buildings can, and has already, caused problems for existing properties lower down.
The building of the 'Spanish-style' bungalows in Budmouth Avenue North in 1986 has caused problems for the houses below, ranging from flooding to needing foundation underpinning.
Why should the council be allowed to inflict such further problems on us all, by upgrading this farmland to be sold for building land at a large profit for the owners?
4) If these houses are allowed to be built, the new residents would be isolated at the top of the hill with no bus route or nearby amenities.
5) There are much more suitable building sites in the area, to enable the council to meet its building targets, which have good access to a main road, bus route and shops etc. 'WEY14' should be removed from the plan and left as farmland, unless a dedicated access from a main road can be provided to this site. Even then, the problems due to groundwater disturbance and rain run-off would still remain for all the existing properties downhill.
JOHN JENKINS
Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator,
Weymouth
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here