Rosebery School's Development Plans - Public Meeting Report

11.04.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th Jul 2005

This tree on the housing site was saved from felling by Cllr Lindsey Fisk in 2003

In view of the degree of public interest in Woodcote, Town and Stamford wards about Rosebery High School's proposed developments, Lib Dem councillors took the initiative in calling for a public meeting, which was held at the Town Hall on 24th June at 7.00 pm.

The school wants a new indoor sports hall and swimming pool, a new floodlight all-weather pitch and new floodlit tennis courts. To pay for these facilities it intends to sell off a piece of land known as the "Cabbage Patch" to developers, who are planning to build 72 new homes. Access to the facilities would be from White Horse Drive and Ebbisham Road, but access to the new houses would be from Rosebank. In addition, the all-weather pitch and the new houses and flats would be clearly visible across the railway line from Wheelers Lane.

This meeting was intended to give local residents an opportunity to get answers to their questions or concerns about this scheme and to give their opinions to Councillors.

Councillors were are keen to hear from those who support the plans as well as hear the views of those who object, but were unable to enter into discussion at this meeting.

A Planning Officer attended to hear people's views and answer factual questions about the proposals. The school and the developers declined invitations to attend, but a small number of residents who had met with the developers earlier were able to give clarifications on various points.

Afterwards the meeting chairman sent a number of questions to the council on behalf of the residents who attended.