This site has come back to life again after several rejections in the past.
WARA recently had a call from developers who invited the committee to visit the site and listen to their proposals. The nursery is situated half way along Pick Hill on the LHS approx 200 mtrs from the Knolly’s Nursey site. Three WARA members met with Crest Nicholson who plan to build 90 2/3/4 bed homes with 40% of them affordable and are proposing a civic facility of some kind on site. This is still to be determined at to use and Crest were looking for suggestions as to who might be suitable tenants. Crest were also looking for support for the project from us and advised us that they would submit their final proposals in February 2014. WARA are now looking for comments from the local community on these proposals and will hold a public meeting after the application has been submitted and residents are aware of what is proposed.
After the heavy rain,and with regard to the proposed development in Pick Hill,every interested party should be aware that this land is on a flood plain.The proposed site is a muddy quagmire every time a day or more’s rain occurs.Today, using the footpath at the end of Pick Hill,I found Cobbins Brook to be a raging torrent which had overflowed it’s banks,making it impossible to use the footbridge into the adjoining field which was flooded as was the proposed development land. This land is completely unsuitable for dwellings as it is the catchment area for all the rainwater that flows down from Amesbury estate etc. Apart from the fact that the same traffic objections as the Knolly site pertain due to restricted access and so on.It is also foolish to enter into any discussions with Crest’s P.R. firm as it would imply some sort of interest in allowing some type of development.These P.R.people are very slick operators and should not be engaged in conversations about their plans.As I see it,exactly the same objections apply as they did for the Knollys plan,except this proposed site becomes waterlogged after not too prolonged rainfall.Beware of smooth-tongued P.R. persons!.
Visited the Pickfield nursey site after noting Dougals comments and agree with his verdict have posted some pics of the flooding.
I used to own a property that bordered this site. I always worried about the sale of the nursery or an attempt to change the usage of the land. When I sold my property the site was a haven for wildlife. The dawn chorus was simply stunning. Please keep up the fight to preserve this land and stop the greedy owners making a fortune at others expense. All that housing will ruin a decent road.
Good luck to you all.