The Councillors for Pocklington Provincial Ward on the East Riding of Yorkshire Council are absolutely disgusted that the Planning Inspectorate in London has overturned a local decision to refuse the building of 380 new homes in Pocklington and allow further development in their area.
This new development which includes new shops will detract from the town centre, which has struggled this past year during the pandemic which is not acceptable. We are a Market Town, with a wonderful and defined town centre which we fully support. We are not and do not wish to become a sprawling settlement.
The World is facing global climate change and it has been suggested that the use of fossil fuels is creating this problem. Unfortunately, Pocklington does not have enough employment in the immediate area. Because of large scale development like this, Pocklington has sadly become a commuter town, with the majority of residents having to travel to other areas for work and this is not helping us protect our environment or our traditional community atmosphere.
The A1079 is already very busy, no Government has supported the East Riding to upgrade the infrastructure for decades, this made the road one of the ten most dangerous roads in the Country, until the speed reduction was introduced to 50 mph. Because of the poor infrastructure, the A1079 is clearly holding back economic development. This new housing estate, which the council refused, will now add to this problem, causing congestion and potentially threatening the lives of drivers and pedestrians.
The area does not require any more housing and we as ward Councillors were promised last year by ERYC Planning that no more large schemes would be allocated for Pocklington. The planning inspectorate has shown no respect for our local area, people or democracy in choosing to overturn this decision.
During this past year it has become evident that people have become stressed couped up in their homes for so long and many have realised that a garden is essential and requirement. The building industry and past Governments have continued to allow small space houses to be constructed. Humans need space and these modern houses do not address the needs of residents.
This new development, at present, will not be any different. The site is to have a sixty bed home, children's nursery, skate park, open spaces, shops and 380 houses. The developers have crammed everything they could think of on the land. This is a new village, it should be placed nearer to where work is available, not in the countryside, using up excellent farming land. At present it is a pleasant area on the Balk giving a sense of peace and welcome to a leafy Market Town, which will be destroyed.
Cllrs. P. West, D. Sykes and K. West are so sorry and upset that this is to happen. Our objections fell on Stoney Ground. The East Riding Officers and planning committee did their very best to oppose the application, and refuse it, but sadly, the planning inspectorate have made the decision to over turn that refusal. Which is absolutely wrong!
As usual we will do all we can to fight our residents corner and oppose this.
