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Homes concern for Gateford
I attended the public meeting on 24th January, I got there at 6.15pm, 15 minutes before the start. The meeting was in the big hall where just over 200 chairs were set out.
When the meeting started at half past six all the chairs were occupied with about another 100 members of the public stood at the back of the hall and down the sides.
The presentation by the Planning Chief took just 30 minutes, we did not learn anything more than we already knew from the BDC web site or the 35 printed copy I picked up from the town hall some two weeks ago.
The plan of the Worksop area identified 32 sites which could accommodate 6,253 potential new houses, out of this number 1,517 homes are required by the year 2028
About six areas of Worksop were set out on display boards with BDC staff taking questions from the members of the public.
After the presentation, The most crowded display area was that of GATEFORD, which was set out at the back of the hall. I estimated that nearly 90% of those attending were trying to get to the display and ask questions. After about half an hour of pushing I did manage to get near to the action but did not learn anything new.
One of the concerns for North Gateford residents was the use of a green field site of productive arable farmland. Another was the Gateford Park Primary school which at present has an overflow of pupils that have to be transported to other areas. The current school site cannot be extended.
If new homes are built in the North Gateford area the present infrastructure will not cope and a new primary school will have to be built.
North Gateford at present has 1,098 homes with no facilities at all. During my two years as Chairman of The Gateford Residents Association we managed to get one set of goal posts and three park benches. That says it all, the future looks a re-run of what has already happened. As I have said in a piece published in the Guardian some time ago:- Gateford North, Gateford South, What will the council give you, Plenty of Nowt!
Larry Read
Abingdon View, Gateford
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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