Fears raised over Mylor housing scheme
1:00pm Monday 10th September 2012 in News
The narrowness of Bells Hill already makes it difficult for vehicles to pass each other according to Mylor Conservation Group members
Concerned Mylor residents have again spoken out in opposition to a controversial new development proposed for land off of Bells Hill.
The proposals, for 30 new one, two, three and four-bedrooms homes, were first put forward by Devon and Cornwall Housing Group in December last year.
Traffic dangers, overdevelopment, the sale of ten of the properties on the open market and the fear of “concreting over” an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are just some of the issues raised by the scheme’s opponents.
Jan Robson, a spokesperson for the Mylor Conservation Group, said: “The village already suffers from traffic problems. Every day we have articulated lorries carrying large boats, coaches and fast moving traffic passing down Bells Hill and through the village. “These are narrow roads with limited footpaths and Bells Hill is dangerous for pedestrians. We do not need 50 more cars added to this." Local resident Terrie Clerke said she had already come close to being knocked down on the winding lane, without the added extra traffic.
“A lorry came within one and a half inches of my body when walking up Bells Hill,” she said. “It is a dangerous road with no pavements. You take your life in your hands.”
A planning application has yet to be put forward for the development and no firm date has been set for one to be submitted, according to the scheme’s architects Trewin Design Partnership. A “Screening Opinion” was received by Cornwall Council on March 27, to determine whether the development should be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment but Sarah Squire from the Environment Agency replied: “the development is unlikely to result in any significant environmental effects.”
The Mylor Conservation Group, however, are concerned that the building works will result in the destruction of Cornish hedges and extensive tree cover.
They also raised fears that the ten open-market houses “could end up as holiday homes” and that if this development gets the go ahead it will be an open door for further buildings on surrounding fields.
Jan added: “Many other villages in Cornwall are fighting similar problems of future overdevelopment, traffic congestion, environmental damage and loss of agricultural land. Those things that make Cornwall and individual villages special are under threat.”
