Blandford residents fear losing Crown Estate land to 200 homes (From Bournemouth Echo)

Blandford residents fear losing Crown Estate land to 200 homes

7:00pm Wednesday 27th January 2010 in

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FURIOUS residents are demanding answers about the future of Crown Meadows in Blandford.

People living in nearby Parklands fear the protected green space may be lost after learning of its designation in the district council’s draft housing strategy as suitable for 200 homes.

Art teacher Caroline Evans said she only bought her house after checking with the council that no development was planned for the land.

“If we’d known there was the slightest chance of development there, we wouldn’t have bought the house, let alone paid top price for it,” said Miss Evans.

Pauline Talou, who has lived at Parklands for eight years, described the possibility as “devastating”.

“We bought this house for the view. We’ve put a lot of money in. It will now be worth half of what we’ve put in. We’re losing out all round,” she said.

Neighbour Lexi Cook said the inclusion of her garden in the council’s development map, has left her “beside herself with rage”.

Crown Estates acquired the land in lieu of death duties for two of the Viscounts Portman in the early 20th century. It submitted the 7.7 hectare site to the district council’s Strategic Housing Land Area Assessment last year.

A spokesman for the Crown Estates said Crown Meadows had been submitted as a “possible suitable location” for housing beyond 2016.

“If a Crown Estate location is selected and we decide to prepare a development proposal, the Crown Estate will fully consult with local people before finalising and submitting any planning application,” he said.

A council spokesman said no planning application had been received to build on Crown Meadows.

He confirmed the site’s inclusion in the council’s draft core strategy development document for housing until 2026.

Cabinet members voted on Monday to hold a public consultation on the strategy at the Blandford Corn Exchange on March 25 between 10am and 5pm.

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