News Developer speaks out
The man behind the planned redevelopment of The Hollies in Goole has hit back after residents claimed their properties would be overlooked.
Nicholas Shipley said he was in a state of "some disbelief" when he read comments by residents on Airmyn Road in last week's Goole Times.
The developer wants to demolish The Hollies bungalow and build two new dormer properties in its place.
But his plans have come in for criticism from neighbours, some of whom spoke out against the plans at a recent meeting of Goole Town Council's planning committee.
Mr Shipley, who plans to develop the entire Hollie site, strenuously denies that the dormers will impinge on neighbours' properties and says their privacy will not be affected, as they have claimed.
He has also scotched claims by some residents that the dormers will be out of character with the rest of the area and ruin their suburban idyll.
Mr Shipley said one resident's concerns that the planned development would heighten the flood risk to his own property were groundless.
"All the water would go to the main drains and not the soak-aways, thus making the site drainage better, and there has been no objection from the Environment Agency," he added.
Mr Shipley also dismissed residents' claims that the two dormers - which will be similar in design - would ruin the look of the area.
Residents claim that each property in their neighbourhood has its own unique design, but Mr Shipley disputes this.
"The point of a planning application is to make sure the new properties blend in with the surroundings as far as possible, hence the likeness in house types," he said.
The developer - who has so far applied only for outline planning consent - said that, under current planning guidance, building two properties on the site "would be encouraged".
He added that the Government was encouraging such brownfield developments.
Mr Shipley said he had been in consultation with the East Riding Council for weeks before the application was submitted, and that he had "taken into account all views and angles of the houses".
He also denied that the properties would lead to an increase in traffic.
"In reality we are talking about one extra car as there is already access on the existing property for a car," he said.
Mr Shipley strongly denied that his was a "get-rich-quick" scheme, adding: "I will personally not be making a penny out of the development as I am acting for a third party at this moment in time."
Martin Wilson, one of the residents who is objecting to the scheme, said: "It's our view that there is no need for additional housing in this area and it's not in keeping with the current properties on Airmyn Road."
Last week Goole Town Council's Planning Committee agreedd to object to Mr Shipley's proposals on the grounds that the dormer bungalows would overlook existing homes.
Published on 28th August 2008 in News.
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