Protecting Kingswood Close and our community
Kingswood Close Residents’ Group has been formed in response to proposals for residential development on land east of Station Lane and, in particular, the proposed use of Kingswood Close as an access route to the site.
Residents have significant concerns about both the proposed development and the impact it could have on the surrounding community.
The Group’s position on the proposed use of Kingswood Close is supported by residents from every property on the Close.
Our immediate priority is clear: Kingswood Close should remain a cul-de-sac and should not become an access or through route serving a major new residential development.
Kingswood Close as an access route
Kingswood Close is an established residential cul-de-sac. It was not designed or developed to function as a through route serving a substantial additional residential area.
Changing its function would represent a fundamental alteration to the nature of the street and could have significant consequences for existing residents.
Our concerns include the suitability of the highway, additional vehicle movements, road and pedestrian safety, construction traffic and the impact on residential amenity.
We believe any proposal to use Kingswood Close for access requires particularly careful and robust scrutiny.
Safety and residential amenity
One of the defining characteristics of Kingswood Close is its quiet residential environment.
The absence of through traffic contributes significantly to the way the street is currently used and enjoyed by residents. Children play outside, neighbours regularly interact and the Close supports a strong sense of community.
Introducing additional development traffic would change that environment.
The safety of residents, pedestrians and particularly children must be given proper consideration alongside the wider highways implications of any proposal.
Character of the community
Kingswood Close is more than simply a potential access point on a development plan. It is an established neighbourhood and a close community.
Residents are concerned about the potential impact of the proposals on the character, environment and quality of life enjoyed by people living both on Kingswood Close and in the wider Kingswood area.
Development decisions should properly consider the communities that already exist as well as the communities they seek to create.
Wider concerns about the development
Residents also have concerns about the wider principle, scale and potential impact of development on land east of Station Lane.
These include matters relating to highways and traffic, local infrastructure, sustainable transport, drainage and flood risk, Green Belt and planning considerations, environmental impact, and the character of Kingswood and the surrounding area.
These are important matters which we believe should be properly assessed through the planning process.
An evidence-led approach
The Residents’ Group is gathering information and evidence relating to the proposals and will continue to review new information as it becomes available.
We will engage constructively with the site promoter, local authorities, elected representatives and other relevant organisations.
Where appropriate, the Group will make formal representations through the planning process on behalf of participating residents.
As proposals develop, our responses will be based on the information available at that time and the potential impact on Kingswood Close and the wider community.
Our position
We recognise the need for new homes and that appropriate development has a role to play in meeting housing needs.
However, new development must be appropriately located, properly planned and supported by suitable infrastructure and access.
Based on the proposals currently being presented, Kingswood Close Residents’ Group has serious concerns about development on this site.
In particular, our position is unequivocal:
Kingswood Close should remain a cul-de-sac. We do not believe it should be used as an access or through route for the proposed development.
This position is supported by residents from every property on Kingswood Close.
We will continue to represent that position collectively as the proposals progress.