Parking concerns remain
The latest proposals for the development of the Newbury Avenue garage site will be reported to the Councils Executive committee next week.
The new scheme involves the provision of 5 one bedroomed bungalows which will be built to a standard that allows easy wheelchair access.
The site is considered suitable for older or disabled people as it is reasonably close to the Lidl store and the number 4 bus service,
The proposal is undoubtedly better than the original plan for 9 apartments.
Later, plans for 8 bungalows were released but these proved to be too cramped.
The five bungalow specialist accommodation now proposed is unlikely to significantly increase traffic volumes in the area, one of the concerns expressed about earlier schemes
However, the report fails to address the lack of car parking space on Newbury Avenue outside the existing flats (10 -16) or in the wider Windsor Garth area.
Residents will expect that the demolition of 28 garages (most of which have deliberately been left empty by the Council over recent years) will be mitigated by the provision of more off-street parking space in the area.
In total sites for over 20 parking spaces have been identified in the neighbourhood and there is a reasonable expectation that a Section 106 agreement will fund most of these.
If the spaces are provided, then the revised Council proposal is likely to gain more widespread support
The meeting will also hear new proposals for the development of a similar garage site on Chaloners Road
