21/1/2008

Local News in Fleet

Pyestock: Hundreds object to latest plan

Hundreds of residents have already objected to detailed plans for a massive warehouse complex between Fleet and Farnborough.

Joint developers PRUPIM and Astral last week submitted their application for full planning permission for a mega-depot and associated offices on the former Pyestock Ministry of Defence site.

They say the proposals will clean up the contaminated land and bring total employment on the site back up to about 1,600 jobs.

However, campaigners against the development say the latest application is no better than previous schemes proposed.

Hundreds of objectors have written to Hart District Council to make their opposition clear.
James Henstock, of Kenilworth Crescent, Fleet, is among them.

He said: “I moved to Fleet two years ago in order to raise a family in a beautiful, peaceful area of the countryside.

“However, I am horrified at the thought of such a mega-depot springing up on my doorstep.”
Mr Henstock said the proposals would generate excessive traffic with huge lorries, vans and cars visiting the site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 “The buildings themselves would be massive, unsightly and spoil the visual splendour of the area,” he warned.

Mr Henstock is worried the proposed development would have a negative impact on people’s quality of life and harm nearby conservation areas.

He said: “Fleet Pond for instance is on my doorstep and is a perfect retreat from the hectic pace of modern day life. However this area would be undoubtedly ruined should this scheme be allowed to go ahead.”

Colin Baker has lived in Fleet for 66 years. He told the council the area has always been special for wildlife.

He said: “As an asthmatic I am troubled by polluted air that can only get far worse with all the vehicles that would use this blot on the landscape.”

A resident of  Fleet’s Westover Road, David Reid, called on the developers to reconsider their plans for the site.

“The development is inappropriate for the location and is not wanted by Fleet or Farnborough residents,” he said. “Working with the council and residents, the developers should now reconsider the site usage and look for alternative options such as recreational/sports facilities or a centre of excellence.”

Meanwhile, Gillian Brogden of Elvetham Road, called the proposal ‘an absolute monstrosity and an environmental disaster’.

Residents in nearby Farnborough have also been quick to contest the plans. Richard Steventon, of Buttermere Close, pointed out that the new application is for ten smaller sheds up to 60 feet high and totalling 1,250,000 sq ft.

He warned: “The vast majority of the site will be covered in concrete and this in our strategic gap that is meant to be a rural barrier between Fleet, Farnborough and Aldershot.

“There will still be incessant noise and pollution. Who on Earth except for people who live nowhere near here and have a vested financial interest would remotely consider this application as feasible?”

PRUPIM and Astral say the new detailed planning application has been based on an illustrative plan from an outline application that they submitted in March 2007.

It proposes ten new buildings for distribution warehouse use, ranging from 27,000sq ft to 330,000sq ft.
The developers say the site is ideally located for a distribution depot.

Steven Moss, project director for PRUPIM, said: “We recognise that the application has generated opposition from local residents but believe that there is a very strong planning case for what we are proposing.

“We would encourage residents to respond to the council’s consultation process.

“The proposals will clean up this contaminated and derelict site and bring it back into productive use.

“It is line with the council’s Local Plan, which proposes that the site is used for employment purposes.”

First printed in: Farnborough News and Mail