200 RESIDENTS GIVE VIEWS ON FUTURE OF DRAKELOW PARK
Almost 200 residents attended a two-day public consultation event in order to provide their views about the long term regeneration of a major brownfield site at Drakelow, near Burton on Trent.
Roger Bullivant Ltd (RBL)’s headquarters site at Drakelow is used for a variety of light industrial activities. It is adjacent to the Drakelow power station site, which is owned by E.ON. The company has planning permission for a gas-fired power station on the site.
The two businesses have been in discussion with regards to the potential development of the underutilised areas of the two brownfield sites deliver sustainable development to meet local housing and employment needs.
The community consultation exhibition provided local residents with information about the nature of the 112 hectare sites and their history; planning policy and the need for new homes; the research which will be undertaken for an Environmental Impact Assessment on the Drakelow site to guide any future planning applications and the types of facilities, homes and business uses which would be appropriate on this brownfield site.
Residents were asked to complete a questionnaire to provide their ideas and raise any issues with the redevelopment of this site. Over 50 questionnaires were completed and these comments will now be fed into the masterplanning process. The first draft of the masterplan will be exhibited this summer so further comments and ideas can be raised.
Chris Chatfield from RBL says: “This was the first opportunity for residents to get involved and help to plan the future of these brownfield sites. We will take on board all of the suggestions as well as looking into issues raised so that we can report back at another exhibition in July.
“Our aim is to feed these comments into our masterplanning process and display the first draft of the masterplan at the next event”
Ideas highlighted at the event included:
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Walking links and cycleways to connect to surrounding areas and making use of the old railway lines
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Environmental elements to be incorporated into the design – including green transport initiatives, recycling facilities and ecofriendly buildings
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Sports facilities were suggested, as well as a post office, police station, church and newsagent.
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People were keen on a retirement village element
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Improvements should be made to public transport in the area
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It is a brownfield site and housing should go here rather than on Greenfield areas.
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Transport infrastructure in local area to be improved to provide capacity for any development
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No apartments or distribution uses on the site
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Facilities should be delivered on the site from day one rather than at the end of any development
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A mixture of housing was welcomed to reduce antisocial behaviour
Any further comments or feedback from residents are welcome and can be sent to drakelow@beattiegroup.com or by calling Victoria Walker on 0113 2130300
Ends
Published: 19th May 2008
