Concerns raised at bid to knock down Old Town house

A bid to knock down Ridgelands in Upland Road and build a two and a half storey block with 10 two bedroom flats – and 12 parking spaces with a new access from Upland Road – has been submitted to council planners.

Applicants say the existing house is not listed, not in a conservation area or of any architectural importance.

But neighbours living in Upland Road and East Dean Road say it will be an over development, would have a major impact on road safety at an already dangerous junction and a loss of street parking which is already limited for local residents.

Paul Scholey, who lives in Upland Road, said, “This will have a detrimental impact on those living in Uplands Road and in Ridgelands Close especially as the building will overshadow properties, deprive them of their privacy and do nothing to enhance the area.”

Andrew Holmes in East Dean Road said, “It is a vast over-development of the plot and will dominate the street scene. The footprint of the proposed building is over twice that of the existing dwelling as well as being higher. Additional cars parked around the junction with Upland Road will only increase the likelihood of serious traffic accidents.”

The planning committee meets in March.