Clare councillors have shared road safety, youth boredom and GP services concerns over a proposed 70-home development.
Rob Eyre and Murray Stroud, of Clare Town Council, are concerned Rainier Developments’ proposals, for land off Cavendish Road could exacerbate existing issues in the town.
In particular, the councillors highlighted speeding issues in Cavendish Road, part of which has a 60mph speed limit, and youth boredom.
Clare Town Councillors Rob Eyre and Murray Stroud have expressed concerns over the proposed 70-home development off Cavendish Road. Picture: Mark Westley
Cavendish Road goes past Stour Valley Community School.
Cllr Eyre said: “We’ve had people going 70mph through here quite regularly. The speeds through that section are quite horrible.
“A number of schoolchildren further down have been clipped by vehicles, although there have been no serious injuries as yet, thankfully.
Cavendish Road, Clare, 70-homes development. Murray Stroud and Rob Eyre at the site. Picture by Mark Westley
“The only way to reduce the speeds is a physical measure forcing drivers to slow down. That’s part of why we’re against the proposals.”
Cllr Eyre said the proposed new development was a 20-minute walk from the town itself, rendering a proposed 30-space car park within the project pointless.
Cllr Stroud, who is leading the council’s youth initiative to find out what teenagers want from new investment in the town, said it was hoped the developers could invest in new activities or fund them.
Murray Stroud and Rob Eyre at the site.
“We’ve discovered, in conversations with young people, they feel there is nothing to do around Clare,” said Cllr Stroud.
“So, rather than the council deciding what’s good for them, we’ve consulted with the schools and they’ve agreed to do a survey for us which is now going out to students and parents.
“We’re hopeful we’ll get the results of that fairly soon.
The land off Cavendish Road, in Clare, is opposite the Stour Valley Community School and runs adjacent to the boundaries of Clare Castle Country Park. Picture: Mark Westley
“From there we can see what young people need and what we can do about it. Finance is a difficulty, but we’re hoping new developments should help on that front.”
Cllr Stroud said parents’ views were particularly important.
The councillors also highlighted concerns over the pressure a new development might place on GP services, along with its proximity to Clare Castle Country Park, a designated site with nesting boxes for owls.
NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integregated Care Board said in a letter to West Suffolk Council planners, who are considering the application: “The proposed development is likely to have an impact on the services of two main GP practices within the vicinity of the application site.
“The GP practices do not have capacity for the additional growth resulting from this development.”
The care board added that the planning application did not appear to include a health impact assessment or propose any mitigation of its healthcare impacts.
Rainier Developments Ltd was approached for comment.