Plymouth boatyard homes plan given the go-ahead

DEVELOPERS have been given the green light to build 53 new waterside homes in a boatyard.

An application in 2009 to build 118 houses and flats, restaurants, cafes and business units near Hooe Lake was turned down by Plymouth City Council's planning committee, as was a scaled back version of 96 properties.

However, the latest application by Cavanna Homes (Devon) Ltd, consisting of two two-bedroom properties, nine three-bedroom homes and 37 four-plus bedroom houses – along with five 2-bedroom "intermediate" housing – was granted following a debate in the council chamber on Thursday.

The development will also see provision for 132 car parking spaces at the at Bostons boatyard site in Bayly's Road, Oreston.

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The committee heard from ward councillors Ken Foster and Mike Leaves who spoke on behalf of residents who opposed the development.

Mr Foster said many residents had concerns about the impact the additional homes would have on traffic, while Mr Leaves said the roads around Oreston were already congested. He also asked the committee to defer the decision until more consultation had been carried out over Section 106 cash.

Other oppositions centred on the narrow roads around the site which already saw motorists needing to pull onto pavements to allow other cars to pass them by.

However, the applicant's representative said the land was a contaminated brownfield site and, as such, was suited to such development.

Cllr Linda Bowyer questioned the "cumulative impact" on traffic of an increasing number of developments in the eastern end of the city, noting such proposals as Sherford and Plymstock quarry.

"It's gridlock now," she said. "Even though this may be really small it's not the answer. We're going to build gridlock and traffic."

However, planning case officer Robert Heard told members the planning department thought this was a "relatively small scheme which won't cause undue problems".

Councillor George Wheeler argued there was a "crying need for affordable housing in this city not being met".

In response, Mr Heard said there was "nine per cent affordable houses – originally it was less than that".

He said there was a "reasonable" package on the table and while it was not "ideal" it was "acceptable", though Mr Wheeler said he remained "disappointed".

The application was granted following a vote which saw Conservative councillors voting against the scheme.