There are serious concerns by many in this area which need to be addressed and hopefully action taken, these being:
1. Hedge planting which would have provided screening fronting the car parking area opposite our home has not been provided, although this was shown on the plans submitted.
2. We were assured that any perimeter lighting, which included the car park, would be at a low level and of the mushroom type. This was confirmed in the presence of other neighbours. This is not the case and 18 x 2.2 metre high ornamental lampposts have been located on the frontage and Upper Kings Drive. This is not car park lighting, is obtrusive, produces unacceptable glare and has undoubtedly been installed to increase the impact of the building – as if this was needed. Until switched off at midnight, the building does resemble a casino, which is surely not appropriate.
3. Sunrise stated its complex would not impact on the local road network nor lead to an increase in on road parking, a condition of approval being that a travel plan be submitted. Whilst the building has few residents at present, staff are not allowed to park in the complex and Upper Kings Drive has now become the parking area for staff. This is causing considerable difficulty to long established residents and substantially increased traffic movement during anti-social hours.
The company stated its home would integrate and harmonise with the locality and that it would be a good neighbour. Sadly this does not appear to be the case and despite discussions with its local management and some of its consultants, little effort has been made to address these issues.
All we, and many in the area, now hope is that you and your colleagues can use your influence to ensure that they honour their commitments to this locality and comply with the conditions applicable to the planning approval. We are certain that with co-operation on all sides we will be able to resolve these issues which will certainly result in a more harmonious relationship between Sunrise and the local community to the benefit of us all. – Kenneth and Angela Tucker, (angietucker@tiscali.co.uk).



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