Some news about a couple of local planning campaigns we are actively involved in in Redlands at the moment:

1. 22 Alexandra Road planning application

We have been campaigning alongside a group of local residents for several weeks to stop a planning application to convert No 22 into four flats.

After being deferred twice (once for a controversial site visit) officers are now recommending this application be rejected at Planning Applications Commitee next week (2 December).

There were a number of complex issues that cropped up the last time this application was discussed by members. It's unclear at this stage whether or not these have been totally resolved.

It will be important that members find strong planning reasons to refuse it when the time comes.

We await the latest officers' report with interest and hope that members of the Committee make the right decision in relation to this application.

2. 46 Redlands Road planning application

We heard today that the developer behind plans to redevelop 46 Redlands Road for 10 flats has submitted amended plans to RBC..just days before the Planning Applications Committee is due to decide on the application.

I'm not surprised by this - there has been a large number of objections to this application sent into RBC in recent weeks.

I submitted a detailed objection expressing concerns about the negative impact this plan could have on the Redlands Road/Allcroft Road area.

It would have been a whole lot more straightforward and better for all concerned if the developers had bothered to consult ward councillors and residents before submitting these plans.

We could have told them what issues were likely to be raised and what concerns local people have about redevelopment of this site so that they could have put together something more amenable to the community.

As it is we are faced once again with a deeply flawed proposal which has caused a lot of disquiet locally (that could have been avoided).

Anyway, It looks as though officers are set to recommend that this planning application be approved by members of the Planning Applications Committee at the 2 December meeting.

This is bad news and we will continue to work hard to support local residents who have grave concerns about this proposal.