The Horsell's Mouth Politics, pedantry and personal interests

The meeting of the executive on Thursday will consider a report on residential mitigation sites for the Hoe Valley Scheme. This is necessary because the Hoe Valley Scheme projections at the moment show a loss and therefore other sites that the council can develop – or sell for development – need to be considered in order to recoup some of this cost.

Among the sites identified is Blackness Lane, which was subject to a similar situation and council consultation in 2003/4. I understand the objections to building so close to the park but the former greenhouses that were on the site were part of the park’s operation and have never been green open space.

There is the issue of traffic along Blackness Lane but I don’t think the proposals will fashion a great number of new homes. It would be good to see that problem addressed though, particularly because of the risks already taken by those turning right into Claremont Avenue from Guildford Road.

The Blackness Lane site is long overdue being developed. There is currently no best value being gained from the asset. I know that the surrounding area has been developed significantly already – I used to live in Claremont Avenue – but the area on the south side of the town centre has got to bare the burden of the superior transport links it enjoys. There is further development on Constitution Hill and the south entrance into the town that needs to be achieved and I hope that is reflected in the Local Development Framework.

The Blackness Lane site is derelict, overgrown and isolated from the park. No-one wants development in their back yard but if Danesfield can take seven townhouses just down the road from me, so can it. In any case, financial realities leave little room for choice – if holding onto dormant assets was an option, it should be no longer.