"Enough is enough": Petition calls for villagers' "voices to be heard" over 570-home development in Clapham
A petition asking for a rethink of a huge housing development in Clapham is already gathering momentum.
Following news Hallam Land plans to submit an application later this year for 570 homes on the north eastern edge of the village, one resident has set up a petition.
The company has already held a public consultation which closed last week and vowed to consider the feedback – but many residents feel this big development shouldn’t be considered in isolation and will cause major traffic congestion.
Over 630 people have already signed the petition – set up by Damaris Terea – which is available as a paper version in Clapham Post Office as well as online.
Once submitted, the application – at land between High Street, The Slade, Green Lane and The Baulk – would include:
>570 homes, including affordable housing
>Public open space
>A new village green
>Repurpose Church Farm Barns for residential or commercial uses
But the Change.org petition said: “One of our biggest concerns is traffic congestion. Although Highbury Grove is not proposed as the primary access, its use as a secondary route could still introduce additional traffic into an area that is already experiencing parking and traffic difficulties.
"Sainsbury's roundabout already experiences heavy traffic during peak times. The addition of hundreds of homes could generate a substantial increase in vehicle movements across the wider road network, potentially adding further pressure to existing congestion points.”
Damaris is also concerned on the impact this number of houses would have on the fabric of the village.
“The proposal would also change the rural setting of Clapham. Developing on open land on the edge of the village would change the character and landscape of the area. We want the effects on landscape, biodiversity, drainage and the wider environment to be properly assessed before any decisions are made.”
Clapham residents were equally as frustrated. One posted: “The village cannot possibly take additional houses with the amenities, road networks, and schools currently in place. Losing land to development would have a sever environment and wildlife impact and the general wellbeing of the Clapham residents. Generations have lived here... enough is enough.”
While another wrote: “Add a further 570 houses on top of the 500 agreed the last time they applied for this land is over population. It will affect air quality and school safety. It will increase queuing, idling vehicles and construction traffic next to the school and nearby houses.”
Damaris told Bedford Today: “It is imperative for residents to send their objections when the planning permission is submitted. I need to make it clear the petition does not replace their individual objections.”