“Don’t spoil our village” – 550 backing call in petition   Nottm. Evening Post

That was the headline in the Evening Post of Tuesday, 21st March 2006 above an article describing the handing in process of the Petition to the Mayor, which over 600 Gedling and other residents signed to request that the plan for Dark Lane be modified. A very big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who signed. You can be sure your voice is being heard. It was worth every freezing minute standing in the Square for the chance to let Gedling councillors know how strongly we still feel about this very special area.

On behalf of the Preservation Society/Dark Lane Action Group a Petition was presented to the Mayor at the Gedling BC Meeting on Wed 15th. March 2006.  The Petition contained well over 500 signatures in support of modifying the proposed Development Brief regarding the Dark Lane area.

The main areas of concern highlighted by the Petition were:-

Both access roads cross an area of land currently being considered for registration as a Village Green, development should not proceed until this matter is finalised.

Breaching of Dark Lane itself by an emergency access from Renals Way, this need not be necessary if there was a restriction to a slightly lower number of actual buildings allowed.

The siting of the main access off Main Street could create a road safety hazard, even if a proposed “puffin crossing” was installed nearby, as the proposed dimensions do not conform with current NCC guidelines.

Demolition of buildings integral to the village character and architecture.  It has been emphasised in GBC Planning Department’s recent Appraisal of Conservation Areas in Calverton that these buildings form part of the inherent and continuous characteristic of Calverton as a linear village. 

Joining two of the existing Conservation Areas would be in line with the national concerns noted in the GBC Appraisal Document.  Thus Dark Lane development should await the outcome of the Conservation Area Appraisal.

Creation of clearly defined boundaries to the south and west of the site, the Brief needs to be even more specific about this aspect.

Any building should not be more than 2 storey, assurances were given to the Parish Council and Preservation Society/DLAG that the mention of four storeys would be deleted.

Design of the development to be appropriate and sympathetic to its surroundings, such as that at Old Hall Close, again the Brief needs to be more specific.

Aggravation of the flooding problems in the area, a lot more detail needs to be included, not just comments that the developer should be aware of this aspect.

Other areas of concern include protection of wildlife, particularly threatened species, provision of community services, such as medical, educational and social, in the village.  All these aspects should give definite guidelines for the development, not just state that the developer should be aware of them. 

CALVERTON PRESERVATION & HISTORY SOCIETY

Established 1968

PETITION
FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE DARK LANE DRAFT DEVELOPMENT BRIEF IN LINE WITH THE VIEWS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS

The main areas of concern, all equally important, are:-

Both access roads cross and area of land currently being considered for registration as a Village Green, development should not proceed until this matter is finalised.

Breaching of Dark Lane itself by an emergency access from Renals Way,

The siting of the main access off Main Street would create a road safety hazard even if a proposed “puffin crossing” was installed nearby - the visibility splays at this junction are inadequate according to NCC guidelines.

Demolition of buildings integral to the village character and architecture,

Creation of clearly defined boundaries to the south and west of the site,

Buildings, including flats, being more than two storeys high,

Design of the development to be appropriate and sympathetic to its surroundings,

Aggravation of the flooding problems in the area.

We the undersigned, petition the Chief Executive, Gedling Borough Council to amend the Dark Lane Draft Development Brief in line with the views of local residents.

Petition organised by Calverton Preservation & History Society

 in association with the Dark Lane Action Group

Tel. 965 2556 or 965 4843