No. 27 York Road was occupied by one family before CALA Homes bought it. No 27 is the remaing part of the terrace nos. 23 - 29 York Road of which nos. 23 and 25 were demolished in Winter 1981/82.
Can CALA Homes resist the temptation to pull a fast one in converting the house into yet more bedsit-like flats?
CALA Homes should have acquired the other remaining house of the terrace as well, demolish the lot and build a whole new terrace - set back into line with the neighbouring houses 31-39.
But then that would have pleased everyone in York Road!

27 September 2003

Planning Department - Attn: John Lay
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Town Hall - Tunbridge Wells

Dear Mr Lay

Planning Application TW/03/2059 – No. 5 York Road Tunbridge Wells

I write on behalf of the members of the Telephone House Neighbours Association regarding the above planning application as it indirectly involves issues surrounding the Telephone House development by CALA Homes.

This proposed development in York Road would not add to the quality of the environment and its surrounding area. The previous planning application ‘Change of use of offices to a single residential unit’ was acceptable to residents. However, 5 flats crammed into the same living space are wholly unacceptable and will have a huge impact on the already overcrowded York Road.

Little regard in connection with this planning application has been given to lifestyle-problems i.e. neighbours' noise, grievances about blaring music, bawling children, rowing parents the likes of which have trebled between 1986 and 1996 and constitute more than two-thirds of all complaints to environmental health officers.
Prospective buyers will encounter problems i.e. lack of privacy, lack of amenities, insufficient parking, living in high density and an outdated town infrastructure. Surely, the Council and the builder are aware of this ?
Residents already struggle with limited parking in this street and within zone C. So, yet more vehicles from further multi-occupancy will exasperate the situation.

However, our biggest fear is that should this planning application be granted it would set a precedent for all those who own a townhouse within York Road. Particularly our “friends” CALA Homes - who now own 27 York Road - would have a chance to make a further planning application to convert their property into multi-occupancy. They have already shown no scruples with regard to their mass development and I have no doubt that they would capitalise on this planning application should it be passed.

The living standard of York Road residents should not be compromised by yet more social and transitional housing. We already have enough social housing provision in this street and the towncentre area. We do not wish for this to increase.

The Borough Council have let residents of this area down badly in recent years. Here is your chance to support us and reject this planning application forthwith.

Yours sincerely,
Lynne Tucker
Vice-Chairman
The Telephone House Neighbours Association

Profile: CALA Group Ltd - Liaisons Little was known when the name CALA Homes Ltd appeared on stage in April 2002. Now we know more about CALA Group and its Executives. We know more about their financial links and their connections. We know about opposition to their various developments

Photos of York Road - Catalogue