25/4/2006

News in Farnborough

Uproar over 500 homes

by Andrew Milford

PROPOSALS to build more than 500 homes at a business park have stirred up a hornets’ nest in Farnborough.

Award-winning house builder Redrow is looking to put up a mix of apartments, town houses and affordable housing at the Farnborough Business Park.

The plan has previously been described as a ‘flagship scheme’ which will help the regeneration of Farnborough alongside the revitalisation of the town centre.

However, people living nearby claim some of the homes will dominate the surrounding area. More than 100 people have already signed a petition opposing the scheme.

“There was a 98% take-up on the petition and the issue that all of the residents are absolutely against is the high density of housing on the west side of the site,” said Mike Wilson, of Pinehurst Cottages.

Redrow has already acquired a 12-acre portion of the park from owner Slough Estates, which is restoring the site with 110,000 square feet of office and business space.

The homes would be adjacent to the park’s heritage quarter, alongside two Grade I listed wind tunnel buildings, which are being restored.

Under the proposals, Redrow will refurbish two buildings. One will be converted into 32 one and two-bedroom apartments, while the second will become 53 apartments.

The company also wants 381 apartments and 70 family homes, including a significant proportion of affordable housing.

Last week, the company invited people living in the area to an exhibition of the proposals.

“We all knew that housing was going to go up and we all knew the type of housing that was going to go up but it was only last week that we learnt exactly what Redrow was planning to do,” said Mr Wilson.

“We didn’t realise how imposing the structures would be, or how close they would be. The social housing aspect has not been spread around the development — it has just been plonked next to us.”

Mr Wilson and his neighbours also fear the spin-off consequences, including increased traffic and crime.

“This is a very quiet neighbourhood,” said Mr Wilson. “None of us are political activists. Many residents don’t even know each other, but it takes something like this to pull the community together.”

Rob Ilott, who also lives in Pinewood Cottages, agreed with Mr Wilson. “There is a lot of negative feeling based on the plans as we have seen them. It is pretty frightening, to be honest,” he said.

“It would be very easy for us to be labelled as NIMBYs but there is a huge range of people living around here.

“We are not just objecting because we don’t want it there. It just seems a very rushed and badly designed plan.”

A spokeswoman for Redrow Homes (Southern), said the company recognised that peole living in Pinehurst Cottages would be most affected.

This is why, she said, the residents had been invited to attend last week’s public exhibition.

“The objective was to present our proposals for residential development within Farnborough Business Park and to listen to, understand and discuss the residents’ concerns,” she added.

“We have taken on board the issues raised at the exhibition and will now work with the planning authority to overcome these concerns, wherever possible.”

Subject to gaining planning permission from Rushmoor Council, Redrow hopes to start work this summer, with the first legal completions anticipated next year.

First printed in: Farnborough News and Mail