Agenda item

The Committee considered a Member Call-in of the Chalvey Regeneration Strategy considered by the Cabinet on 19^th November 2018.

Councillor Sharif, a ward member for Chalvey, explained the reasons for the Call-in which included the traffic, parking and pollution issues caused by planned major developments in Phase 3 of the strategy including significant new housing at the St Martin’s Place and Montem sites, the redevelopment of Tower & Ashbourne Houses and the Grove Academy new through school.  The major developments needed to include a corresponding improvement in supporting local infrastructure in Chalvey to avoid adverse impacts on existing residents.

The Director of Regeneration informed the Committee that there was a separate piece of work taking place on traffic and transport infrastructure, including for Chalvey, that would seek to address the pressures caused by regeneration.  Councillor Sharif expressed the view that residents had not been fully consulted on the plans and that more engagement should have taken place.

Members agreed that it was important to ensure that the pressures arising from new development were properly addressed in an holistic way and that local residents were consulted.  The Committee was concerned that the plans to increase the number of properties in the Tower & Ashbourne House scheme was overdevelopment and agreed to refer this view to the Cabinet.  It was also agreed that the Committee state that the redevelopment on the Montem Leisure Centre site should include the provision of appropriate open space.

Recommended to Cabinet –

That Cabinet give consideration to the following comments regarding Phase Three of the Chalvey Regeneration Strategy:

(a)  Redevelopment of Tower and Ashbourne – Subject to planning, this Council led project will see the demolition of the existing tower blocks, to provide circa 195 flats and houses – a net increase of 80-90 units.  The Committee considered the proposals as over development of the site and that any final plans to include a children’s play area.

(b)  Redevelopment of Montem Leisure Centre.  The Committee sought assurance that there would be provision for appropriate green open space within the development.