Concerns over arson and discarded gun discovery at derelict house
Concerns about a discarded gun and anti-social teenagers vandalising and starting fires in a derelict property have been raised over new housing plans. Brickfield House in Trafalgar Road, Long Eaton[1], has been empty since last summer and residents in the area said it immediately became a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.
The dilapidated property, bordering Trafalgar Road and Collingwood Road, would be demolished under new plans and replaced with eight homes, including two dormer bungalows. Erewash Borough Council officials have recommended that the plans, from 1NA (Mansfield[2] Road) Ltd, are approved at a meeting on April 5.
The site would be accessed from Trafalgar Road, which is currently a cul-de-sac, with a temporary construction access to be created off Collingwood Road. Residents[3] are concerned about the prospect of having more vehicles parked on Trafalgar Road and needing to gain access to further houses, citing existing issues including damage from delivery vehicles and HGVs as the route often becomes a narrow single carriageway due to parking, reports DerbyshireLive[4].
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A resident wrote: “I have also personally suffered damage to my new car, from a lorry coming down Trafalgar to deliver equipment to the piece of land in question. £500 worth of damage was caused which we had to pay for. The thought of continual building work for the foreseeable future is very distressing. Especially, if something like this was to ever happen again. I think I can speak for a lot of people when I say I can’t afford to spend £500 on my car every time a lorry decides to come down the road.”
Another resident wrote: “A number of residents’ cars have already been damaged due to construction vehicles visiting the site. With residents parking on the road, construction vehicles will and have already struggled to drive down the road.
“Recently a lorry was unable to gain access down Trafalgar Road to pick up a Portacabin from the site as it was unable to get past the parked cars. Also, if large construction vehicles are able to get part way down the road before finding that they are unable to pass due to a resident’s parked vehicle, we are very concerned about the danger of said vehicle attempting to reverse back up the already tight road or attempting to turn around in order to exit the road.”
Residents make reference to a construction site where houses are being built off Collingwood Road, which directly connects to the proposed plot, and say this development has caused widespread disruption, with access and parking issues. They also raised concerns about crime in the area, with residents writing: “There is a pathway on the plans allowing foot traffic through from Collingwood Road to Trafalgar Road which is totally unacceptable.
“There have been numerous issues, Brickfield House has been broken into and used for drugs, vagrants, and has also been set fire to. Trafalgar Road is a quiet cul-de-sac and introducing a public footpath will create significant footfall on to the quiet cul-de-sac as people will cut through into Long Eaton, the senior school etc.
“When Brickfield House was unoccupied during the summer of 2022, there were a number of teenage children who came through the gap in the fence. They vandalised the property, and in one instance set fire to it. The fire brigade were called, and the police[6] have been called to this on a number of occasions.
“There is an increased level of crime from the Collingwood Road area, and this will be brought to Trafalgar Road, should a public footpath be introduced. Thus, making the street unsafe for children to play out – losing all sense of community.
“Myself and a friend were litter picking with children on New Year’s Eve 2021. We found a gun, which was found just on the grassland at the end of Collingwood Road, which was reported to the police.” A statement submitted by the applicant with their application writes: “This application seeks full planning permission for the erection of eight dwellings on currently vacant land which accommodates a dilapidated dwelling which is in a state of significant disrepair, albeit still standing at the time of the planning application.
“The eight new dwellings consist of six three and four bedroom detached houses with two three-bedroom dormer bungalows. This provides a real mix of properties to meet different local housing needs within the open market.
“The site has been essentially cleared in anticipation of new development on the site and the existing house is standing but in a clear state of severe disrepair. The new properties would not have an overshadowing or overbearing impact on the neighbours, being set a reasonable distance away.
“In terms of overlooking the separation distances would prevent any undue harm arising and the amenity of the future occupiers of the dwellings is acceptable.” A statement in a council report to be discussed next week says the planned path from Collingwood Road has now been removed.
Council officers write that the Environment Agency “do not consider that the development would be safe from flooding” and say floor levels were raised a further 49cm. However council officers say this request is “considered ineffective and unreasonable”.
They write: “Should a breach event happen, several hundred surrounding dwellings will be flooded. The additional effort to protect these eight would not, therefore, make any significant change to risk to life, property, or burden to emergency services.
“In contrast the additional 0.49m slab height requested would create issues with overlooking and achieving level access for people with disabilities.” Officers, recommending approval, write: “Given the site’s location, the flood risk matters do not warrant refusal of the application and the residential development of this site is considered to be acceptable in principle.
“The design proposed is considered to be acceptable with no undue impact on the amenity of neighbouring occupants. The proposal would not result in unacceptable highway safety concerns. Biodiversity matters can be addressed by conditions.”
References
- ^ Long Eaton (www.nottinghampost.com)
- ^ Mansfield (www.nottinghampost.com)
- ^ Residents (www.nottinghampost.com)
- ^ reports DerbyshireLive (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Have your say here (xd.wayin.com)
- ^ police (www.nottinghampost.com)