Residents' letters -
Objections to the 2nd planning application: BT-Telephone House, Church Road / York Road, Tunbridge Wells
August 9, 2000
Dear Sirs
Planning Application TW//00/01474/FUL - Telephone House, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells
As a resident living nearby to the proposed development, I would be grateful if you would take into account the following points when considering the above planning application:
the development will introduce 43 new dwellings into a densely populated area. Parking is already a particular problem. There is a significant likelihood that many apartments within the development will be occupied by couples/families with more than one car.
access to the development will be solely via York Road during demolition, construction and when occupied by residents.
access to York Road can be difficult at peak traffic times, especially for those having to turn right into York Road across London Road.
the site will need to be cleared, with dust, dirt and noise generated during this period, and heavy traffic required to remove rubble.
construction will continue for a lengthy period, with noise, pollution and heavy traffic.
the plans suggest that the buildings facing York Road will be built close to the street, with the possibility of existing trees being damaged or cleared while the building is in process.
The plans suggest the main building will be five stories high. However, the scale drawings would suggest that any such apartments would have particularly low ceilings.
The introduction of 43 dwellings with an even greater number of inhabitants could affect the supply of utilities.
not only will traffic use increase along York Road but there will also be a considerable increase in on-street parking and other obstructions.
increased traffic, not only through the development period but also when the apartments are inhabited, will affect access to Inner London Road
established trees will be cleared to allow building to take place, and if replaced will take many years to become established.
the main building will end up higher than planned and that retrospective planning permission may be sought.
the main building is not of a design that is in character with the other buildings on Church Road.
construction traffic using York Road and possibly Inner London Road will cause damage to the existing road, facing property or the Common.
that not enough consideration has been given to water, gas and electricity supply, with regards the effects of pressure/power supply on existing properties in the area.
I would not oppose the removal of the existing building, nor the development of the site into an amenity that all can enjoy. However, I would question the need to replace it with such a large number of dwellings, particularly when access would be from a street that was not designed for vehicle ownership, let alone motor vehicular access.
If the Council approves dwellings, would it be possible to reduce the number of them and the impact they will make on the neighbouring environment? Would it be possible to address the problem of all traffic having to travel along York Road - is it not possible to access the development via Church Road?
I hope the Planning Department and Council will take into account the considerations in this letter, and the concerns of the many other residents in the area, and reject again the planning application.
Yours faithfully