Councillor's relief as towers plan thrown out

Developer Lincoln Green Partnership submitted plans for a 440-home scheme on the site of a demolished social club in Cromwell Mount, Burmantofts.

The development would have featured two linked towers comprising 357 "crash pads" – single-room flats – 63 studio flats, 16 one-bedroom flats, four two-bedroom flats, a laundry, residents' gym and 85 car parking spaces.

Around 130 residents objected to the plans, with two petitions containing over 200 signatures adding to the pressure on planners to throw the scheme out.

Planning officers recommended that the proposals be approved but councillors on the east plans panel decided to turn the plans down.

Yesterday local Labour councillor Ron Grahame said the development was "overbearing", would not have fitted in the local area and would have potentially created severe traffic problems.

The Burmantofts and Richmond Hill councillor said: "I am absolutely delighted that members of the council's planning committee have taken, in my view, the right decision to reject this application for a large-scale housing development on Cromwell Mount.

"The fact is that it is overbearing, would not fit in the surrounding area and the consultation undertaken by developers with local residents has been extremely poor.

"You also have to wonder how a scheme containing 440 housing units could be catered for by just 85 parking spaces.

"I am not against housing developments in Burmantofts, but developers need to start being realistic with their proposals and also start consulting properly with local residents."

Other local councillors also raised objections about the proposed scheme. Liberal Democrat member Richard Brett said the towers were too high and would block light to nearby gardens.