Agenda item - Petitions

No petitions had been received by the date of publication of the agenda.

68.1       A petition was presented by Councillor Allen on behalf of residents of Exeter Street in relation to works being carried out at 18 Exeter Street.

              “We the undersigned object to the use and potential harm relating to the change of use of 18 Exeter Street.

              We object on the following grounds:

              No.18 Exeter Street is a church-owned house which has always been an upstairs self contained residential flat and a downstairs area used occasionally for church committee meetings and the like. With no consultation or concern for residents. St Luke’s Prestonville is currently changing the whole house into a drop in centre, despite the fact they have an existing centre attached to the church itself at the end of Stanford Road (approximately 200 yards away and not adjoining private houses).

              The Centre will lead to an increase in the number of people coming into Exeter Street from outside the area. Considering the large number of children and elderly people living in this quiet residential street, we are especially concerned at those coming for advice with potential drug and alcohol related problems.

              Traffic volume will increase, as will demand for parking spaces. We have three disabled people living within 50 yards of 18 Exeter Street. A Member of the (church) committee has already indicated that they would need to have use of the two disabled spaces near no.18 which would cause these three disabled residents additional distress.

              Most importantly of all, the character of our quiet residential family street will be changed for the worse.

              St Luke’s has a large and seriously under used church at the bottom of Stanford Road with as explained above - an existing Drop in Advice Centre operating away from residential homes. We object to this change of use and potential harm to residents (with no prior opportunity to object).” (52 signatures).

68.2       The Development Control Manager confirmed that the Council’s Planning Enforcement Manager had been notified regarding this matter. Planning approval had not been sought for these works and investigations were being carried out to ascertain whether planning permission was required.

68.3       RESOLVED - That the contents of the petition be received and noted.