Runwell Towers WILL be built!

It looks like we have all been stitched up by the planning process! Whilst we were waiting to attend the Planning Appeal Inquiry on 12th June at the Council Offices, another appeal has been in progress in the background, without the public being informed or involved, and this appeal has been allowed, and planning permission granted!

Background
This concerns a planning application for a 5/6 storey block of 83/84 flats at 3-31 Runwell Road, Wickford. The application has been refused by the council, and is being appealed by the developers Butie Limited. The Planning Inquiry for the 83 flat development is due to take place on 12 June at the council office in Basildon, and we in the WAG delivered 200 leaflets to houses around the area last week informing them of the appeal, suggesting they attend and make their feelings known.

But we have now seen an Appeal Decision on the council website dated 24 May 2007, which actually grants planning permission for an 84 flat version of the development. This Appeal was not public apparently, and the original Appeal Inquiry for 83 flats has now been cancelled - we were informed by a letter received on 2nd June 2007. The reason given is that the appeal has been withdrawn, and adds "If you have any further queries regarding this application, please contact Stuart Spears, Planning Services, on 01268 294164" Why not give him a call and let him know what you think about Basildon Planning Services, or better still send him a letter or email (stuart.spears@basildon.gov.uk)....  

Do you agree with us that something smells about this?

• who are Butie Limited? The company is registered in the British Virgin Islands, where directors can remain anonymous, so we don't know who they are - what have they got to hide?
• why 2 appeals, both in progress over the same period, one public and one not?

The details of the 2 applications are:

• Application 06/00001/FULL 03/01/2006 for 5 storey, 84 flats, Refused
  Appeal 06/00044/REFUSE 27/09/2006 Approved 24/05/2007 by Government Inspector Daphne Mair (the report is on the council website under the appeal reference)
  
• Application 06/01295/FULL 19/10/2006 for 6 storey, 83 flats, Refused (although Mrs Buckley voted FOR it!)
  Appeal 07/00006/REFUSE 22/01/2007 Was due to be heard on 12 June Meeting Room 1, but the appeal has now been withdrawn apparently! 

Some extracts from the Appeal Decision document:

"...the building would be set close to the edge of the footway....this would create a sense of enclosure at this entrance to the town centre in welcome contrast to the existing open and diffuse forecourt areas." (Para 9) 

"...I do not consider the building would be unduly visually dominant to passers by along Runwell Road" (Para 11)

... Affordable Housing. In Para 13 is stated that to conform with Policy BAS S5, 15-30% affordable housing should be provided. In Para 14 it accepts that this is impractical, and that a donation of £650,000 in compensation will be acceptable. This works out at £26,000 per house, if indeed the council used it as such.

...Schooling. In Para 17 it is estimated that the 84 flats would generate 8 secondary school places and 12 primary school places. It then concludes that "...few places are likely to arise from the scheme and I consider that the additional pressure on school places would not be so great as to rule out the proposal without sums being provided towards education". In other words - nothing!

Download the Appeal Decision from Basildon Council's website 

Comment from the Wickford Action Group

Speaking as Wickford residents, we in the Wickford Action Group feel totally let down by the planning process, it seems like residents' opinions are not being taken into account, and Wickford is now being saddled with a monstrous block of flats just at the entrance to the town centre. The only people to benefit from this will be the mysterious developer and his cronies, certain local estate agents, and no doubt the buy-to-let scavengers

Another interesting point is that Mr Buckley and the other Tory councillors have always justified the Wickford Master Plan on the grounds that the building of housing units in the town centre is the only way that Wickford can be regenerated. The money from developers being used to provide refurbished library, swimming pool, new meeting areas etc. etc. Well, with 173 flats being built at Riverside House, and now 84 flats approved in Runwell Rd, we are 40% into the current target of 650 flats in the Master Plan, and where is the funding for regeneration coming from?

Mr Buckley, we invite you to comment....

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