PRESS RELEASE  24th March 2012

STATEMENT.

It is sad that the Whealdon Bros cannot be truthful and admit that there are huge problems with their planning application. They will not admit that there are traffic problems, the fact is that there are problems. Their research into this is very flawed and biased.  They very briefly mention that they will not be building for another 5 to 10 years. So why seek planning permission now? They wont admit that they could have tried for planning an another identified area of the town, that is identified in the AVBCs “Alfreton Profile.” An area that would have just the same impact on the town but Outseats Farm is the only green area this side of the town.

Alfreton is one of the most deprived towns in the borough. Building 500 houses will not remedy that. It is more than likely to exacerbate the problem. This town has the most polluted air in the borough through the A38 & M1. The greatest unemployment. All local schools are at their maximum. The social infrastructure, i.e.: Doctors, Dentists, is at breaking point. The traffic infrastructure is at its maximum, also stated in the AVBC Alfreton profile.
The roads were made for horse & carts and 1920 traffic volumes not for the 21st century, there has been very little upgrading to the roads, Sewers and infrastructure. And they propose to bring another 1,700 people and 1,200 cars into the town.

Capita Symons & Wheeldon Bros. have only made no mention of these things in their application, or have ignored other issues and glossed over others, like traffic. They have no concern for the wellbeing of the people or of Alfreton itself.

Amber Valley Borough Council are trying to push through these application without trying to understand or look at these issues either.

There is a vast stock of houses on the market, a lot that fall into the Affordable category. There are over 2,400 houses that have planning permission, most of those houses have not even been started and have been "horded" by developers to build on in later years.

Isn't it time that  Amber Valley Borough Council started to get some of these applications moving first, instead of giving approval to developers for housing in 10 to 20 years hence!  

Alan Stanbrook  for Alfreton S O S