Forum for residents of St Georges Park and Long Leys Road Lincoln

[bear]

This is my first post.

I am surprised at the lack of discussion on this site about the above outline planning application for Yarborough Court. It will affect many residents on the St Georges estate. Does anyone have any views they would like to share?

I have already seen the plans and raised some queries/concerns. It will mean major changes to the field where Yarborough Court (at the moment an office block) is currently situated. Namely demoliton of the existing building and erection of a larger / higher, residential 'high dependancy' unit.

It is certainly making me wonder whether I want to stay in my house if that is what I will be looking at from my window. Or maybe I'll just be looking at the lovely landscaping and no longer the open space that it now is

[deb]

There was much discussion both on and off The Forum. Tha last thread was 'Activities at the hospital' before that I can't remember what it was called but think it may have been taken off after the hackers got in. I'm glad that you got involved and had your say but ensure that the hospital know (and even Lichfield Planning) that you would like to be involved in their landscaping plans. I mentioned previously that because the houses on the boundary are SWish that any tall planting will affect the amount of afternoon sun you get in the rear gardens.

I have been told that there were 2 strong objections, 6 objections, 2 comments and 6 supportive statements. Don't ask me what the difference is between an objection and a strong objection as I don't know!

[Middlers]

Not too sure where Yarborough Court is. Can someone enlighten me please?

[deb]

If you come out of Carram Close and turn left folowing Carram Way round, the second turning on the left will be Manrico, the first right off that is Benbow and if you continue until the edging stops you, in front of you is the Hospital land. The new building will be at the very top of the Hospital land. 'Bear' possibly lives on Mercer Drive as that is one of the roads where some of the residents may soon have a different outlook. The land slopes away so it's hoped that the two storey element of the new building if it goes ahead shouldn't be too obtrusive. The landscaping that is spoken of will obviously help and, if memory serves, there are also car park spaces planned after that too.

Residents had always been given to believe that the remainder of the hospital site was to be sold as housing but seems this rumour (which wasn't the hospital's so tends to leave the finger pointing towards the builders or sales people!) was not true.

[bear]

Anyone going to the Development Control Committee meeting at City Hall tomorrow evening about this?

I can't make it unfortunately but I'm hoping theres some people going to hear what is said..? Or perhaps the LLRA aren't too fussed about this issue been as its not on their doorstep....?!

[deb]

Despite what some feel, the LLRA don't just go and do what they personally want. NO ONE asked the LLRA to raise objections on this development and there was extensive coverage on the Newsletters. One lady spoke to me directly but did not ask me to object because she had Gillian Merron involved and frankly an MP is going to mean just a bit more than a residents group. The responses received were split right down the middle 8/8. If this is not all the immediate houses then it would be fair to assume that those that did not respond did not want to object and had we done a survey we would not have been able to be involved. The original plans were changed after the initial consultation with residents so both the planners and the hospital were listening and it was the planners that suggested residents involvement in the landscaping both from a 'view' and a 'light' perspective.

There was much Forum discussion on the issue but it was based on rumour and more concerned with the service users than the building. The type of service user will remain the same as now and there was a fair bit of detail in The Newsletter after our visit to the facility.

[pete]

I feel another survey coming on.

[deb]

The date for objections has passed now Pete.

[pete]

Thats handy.

[deb]

'Bear', can I make a suggestion? If the building goes ahead, presumably the landscaping will increase in importance. I don't know the content of any of the 16 replies and how many raised concerns on this issue but would it be useful for me to approach Lichfield Planning and the hospital and make a formal request that when that stage is ready to be detailed that a group of interested residents meet with them? The hospital have made provision for meetings in the past and I am sure it can be done again. I can then leaflet all the immediate properties with a date and time etc

[john shipton]

Hello all once again...

No letter was sent to me as I was not in the remit of the proposed alteration to Yarborough Court and residents/patients who will be using the medical unit/facility. In other words, I did not live nearby.
It was the same as with the change of use from Baker's Field to a cemetery.
I was one of the local residents who went to the Open Evening at Yarborough Count. I spoke to staff, Phil Scrafton of Lichfield Planning, and residents.
Residents did make suggestions and observations during the course of the evening. The alterations given by local residents were taken on board.
I believe letters were sent out regarding the planning application and nearby residents had the opportunity to make their objections. Hopefully this is what they have done.
I understand too that one if not more residents had written to Ms Gillian Merron who is the MP for Lincoln. I do not know if any of our City ward councillors are involved whereby residents have contacted them.
So please do not blame the LLRA over what has happened.
Like with the cemetery issue, it is upto residents to make their voices heard, known and send their objections to the appropriate bodies. It is advisable for folk to get their councillors involved if the objections can be substantiated.
Many voices make an impact - not just one!
Residents objections should be attached to documents on the agenda when the Planning and Development Committee meet to discuss, debate and give their decision on the planning application concerning Yarborough Court (and other planning applications).
If you wish to find out when this planning application is being heard, looked at and decided, please ring Committee Administration at City Hall on 01522 873371.
The same applies regarding the change of use for Baker's Field.
I hope this has been useful.

[bear]

"would it be useful for me to approach Lichfield Planning and the hospital and make a formal request that when that stage is ready to be detailed that a group of interested residents meet with them? The hospital have made provision for meetings in the past and I am sure it can be done again. I can then leaflet all the immediate properties with a date and time etc"

Hi Deb, and John and Pete

I think that would be a great help thank you. I accept the plan only directly affects a small proportion of the estate however I think if residents have been contacting Gillian Merron direct then they obviously feel strongly about it. I would definately appreciate meeting with the planners and I'm sure my neighbours would do too, I'm not sure they all quite appreciate the effect this new building and the landscaping might have on our light, enjoyment of the property etc.

As I say I wasn't able to make the Ctte meeting tonight but will ring City Hall and find out what was agreed.

[deb]

OK Sorted.
If Outline Planning Permission is granted then there will be a condition requiring a detailed landscaping scheme and the planners feel that they should indeed seek to agree this will all parties and remove any unnecessary anxiety.
The hospital will raise this at their next project group meeting but it would be fair to say that these talks could even be a year away as the building is not as I remember, anticipated to be in use until the start of 2011

[bear]

Hi Deb,

Okay noted thanks, although the landscaping isn't my only concern. I did raise a few other concerns with the Council such as the car park i.e whether it will be locked etc, security in general etc. Think I may write to Lichfield direct and ask how they plan to address these concerns/what procedure is etc.

Do members of the public get invited to project group meetings with the hospital?

i accept the building will not be in use until 2011 but my concern is if full permission is granted they could start demoliton and building works a lot earlier than that. Say 2009/2010.

Bear

[deb]

Not sure if the planners are the best people to speak to re. the car parks. They can discuss the plans obviously but they will have carried out the brief of the hospital and if the car parks are not locked (and I don't think they are) it will be the hospital that has given the brief and them that will explain why they did/did not wish that to happen.

The project meetings are not a public forum just a normal 'at work' discussion on progress.

I would fully expect work to start around the timescales you suggest as well if full planning is granted and the necessary funding is in place. I have to sympathise with the building site scenario starting again and that will likely affect the lower half of the estate and especially Benbow unless they make some other temporary entrance/exit roads, but the planners did mention at one of the open meetings that works would be within 'working hours' during the week and weekend work avoided.