Reader letter: Peterborough residents worry about health

While the country is in the midst of the worst pandemic in over 100 years, Peterborough City Council Planning Department has published two very important and controversial applications regarding the Gloucester Centre, Morpeth Road.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st May 2020, 12:12 BST
Exteriors of the Gloucester Centre, Woodston EMN-180205-174459009Exteriors of the Gloucester Centre, Woodston EMN-180205-174459009
Exteriors of the Gloucester Centre, Woodston EMN-180205-174459009

First up is the “Proposed construction of bat barn and erection of bat boxes on telegraph poles (ref 20/00282/ FUL)”, validated 6 March 2020.

The second is an application for the “Phased demolition of all buildings within the site (ref 20/00411/PRIOR)”, validated 18 March 2020.

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We residents are fighting vigorously against the intention to build up to 100 homes on this former NHS site.

We have presented petitions and presently Homes England are in the process of submitting a revised planning application which we hope, amongst our other material observations, will at least be more in keeping with the existing built environment. The timing of these two applications would suggest “approval by stealth” aided by Peterborough Planning under pressure from PCC Leaders to “get it done”.

Residents are following Governmental guidelines and staying at home, as most residents fall within the at risk age bracket. They are not concerned about bat boxes or site demolition when their lives are at risk.

Residents are worried about their health and welfare. PCC have posted notices in a few places and residents are invited to take a walk and have a read.

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In addition, no resident has received a letter about these proposals. The phased demolition is due to start August 2020 and yet no planning permission has been approved for the site.

This goes against Government orders supported by legislation to stay at home unless we are going to buy food or collect medicines or exercise. Residents are at a total loss as to why these two applications for demolition works and so- called bat protection are so urgent that they are being undertaken whilst the city is in lockdown?

If the City Council is serious about getting community engagement in local planning applications then this flies totally in the face of that.

It is a disgrace that PCC Planning is using such underhand means of ensuring that the Gloucester Development goes ahead. These applications should be placed on hold until we have the return of normalcy.

Param and Sue Deoraj

Cllr. June Bull

On behalf of the Resident

Action Group

Related topics:PeterboroughResidentsCity Council