Common sense planning

It seems that this can be largely attributed to several things the Development & Planning Authority has done that the people have been asking for, for some while.

Firstly, and most importantly – develop brownfield sites rather than build on green fields. If they happen to be disused greenhouse sites, all the better. However nobody likes to see a winner in the dereliction lottery – but someone has to ‘win’ to make building happen.

As much as possible, ensure that major developments can be well serviced by the current road network in the area.

And planners have been very proactive in pursuing housing options on various sites and trying to secure the buy-in of the landowners, particularly at the affordable end of the market.

Six proposed green field sites have disappeared, replaced by common sense planning, including rezoning the derelict eyesore that is the former Fletchers Freesias in Route Carre, outside M&S there.

Meanwhile Vazon makes an ideal ‘local centre’. Yesterday’s front page photograph showed the extent of the development seen in that area – much of it within the past five decades. And yet from ground level, the area doesn’t feel overdeveloped.

This all looks like a victory for common sense planning. The issue is, why did it take a second attempt for the DPA to see sense and change tack?