Part of the remit of the Hub is to support local people to actively campaign in their area to prevent what they see as poor development. Usually, this kind of activism is reserved for retired politicians and civil servants who have the know how to properly object, but we are committed to share best practice with everyone in our community, making sure we all have a voice!
The following report is from a local retired neighbour who has successfully protected an area of woodland near her from being utterly destroyed.
“2015 saw an application for 5 houses on Fitzroy Terrace. Twelve comments were made to the Planning Dept citing the fact that it was one of the last inner city woodland ‘lungs’ but the build was approved describing the site as ‘self seeded railway cutting of no value’.
Planning permission was allowed for 3 houses but the section nearest Providence Place was to be retained and woodland managed. This did not happen. The undergrowth and mature trees were removed for building access. Several suffered damage from cranes etc and one, weakened, snapped in a storm.
In 2020 when the world is setting targets to reduce global temperature, carbon emissions and retrofitting buildings a further application for 10 dwellings on the site was proposed. Prompted by a few local residents with connections in the growing environmental movement, 76 people submit some very well researched objections on the loss of biodiversity, wildlife, environment, the Conservation Area, overdevelopment and character of building which gained the support of local councillors and the MP.
Planning was refused. How many green/woodland spaces have we lost to development prior to the climate crisis and how much has that contributed to the crisis?
A further application to remove trees was submitted in 2021. The Council placed a Tree Protection Order [TPO] on the site. Regardless, a new application for 7 dwellings appears. Again our local councillors were against it. It has just been refused.
As custodians of our own environment and by being aware of planning proposals and taking action we can shape how it looks in 2030. Our Council now seriously considers environmental impact and if a yellow Site Notice appears on a lamppost about the removal of an unseen tree, we have to be confident that despite none or 90 objections, they will take into account the effect any action now will have on our future environment.
If you feel overwhelmed about writing a ‘comment’ on a planning application you can view similar planning applications on Plymouth City Council website and read the comments of people with background knowledge. If you need help with writing a ‘Comment’ seek guidance from the Case Officer or your local councillor, community group or Environmental Plymouth who will direct you to relevant sources of information.
We may have an initial reaction to a planning proposal but on investigation, one may find the quick fix is not best for long term impact – the proposal though could be redesigned to accommodate that. Humans have a history of doing something and asking questions later – we need to understand the impacts before deciding to do it.