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New homes will worsen danger - residents

Sue Carr
4/12/2002

ANGRY residents are fighting plans to build houses on a school playing field.

They say the new estate will increase traffic congestion and put their children's lives in danger.

Barratt Manchester has been granted planning permission to build 60 new homes on the site in two and three storey apartment blocks.

The development, on the playing fields and land surrounding St Paul's RC Primary School, in Victoria Street, Hyde, will also include a new road, car park and a play area to be built within the school grounds.

But local residents have slammed the 'inappropriate' scheme for ruining the landscape, increasing pollution and making an already dangerous traffic situation worse.

Cllr Joe Fitzpatrick said he had received over 100 letters and two petitions objecting to the new development.

He said: "The new road will go in by the nursery and around the back of St Paul's school playground and we are all very concerned about the safety of the children.

"If any child is knocked down or killed as a result of this road it will be on our conscience for the rest of our lives."

Rose Oldham, speaking on behalf of residents in Newton, added the development would result in an extra 120 cars around the school and would add to the already constant stream of traffic.

She said: "Crossing is hazardous enough as it is and it is not just an eyesore but an invasion of privacy as well.

"The new flats are higher so they will look straight into people's bedrooms in Victoria Street and Danby Road."

She added: "Some residents who live in houses overlooking the playing fields are housebound and get a lot of enjoyment from watching the children playing.

"In the future they will have nothing to look at except the flats and the new road running right outside their homes."

A meeting of the council planning committee ruled that permission to build the flats had already been given in 1996 but officials would be seeking to negotiate with the developers over details before building went ahead.

Barratts also argued that the scheme met with council guidelines and the plans had already been altered from four storey to three storey flats.

Design manager Frazer Watkins said: "We have listened and responded to people and we have come as far as we can go."