Apartment plans get the thumbs up just (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Apartment plans get the thumbs up just

10:30am Thursday 14th December 2000 in

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CONTROVERSIAL new plans for a three-storey block of apartments have left a town council's planning committee divided.

Beaconsfield Town Council received 15 letters of objection to the proposed development in Grove Road which includes underground parking for residents.

Maura Houlihan-Burne, who lives in the road, said she was concerned about the effect that high-cost, luxury developments would have on the future of the town.

She added: "I'm looking at the long term future of Beaconsfield.

"They are putting flats in there that will cost £200,000 to £300,000 each. Local teachers cannot afford to live in the town, there will be retired people living there. The underground parking will be a nightmare as well. This is a residential road and the increase in traffic will be horrific."

Members of the town council's planning committee were divided on the subject of the flats.

Town mayor Malcolm Dunlop said that he thought the development would alter the character of the entry to the town via Aylesbury End, but Cllr Lesley Mallinder (South Ward, Lib Dem) led those in favour of the project.

Tim Rodwell, finance director at Berkeley Homes, which is behind the project, said: "The planning application is going through its consultation period and all comments and objections made by local residents will be discussed."

The chairman's casting vote determined the final outcome and the committee decided not to object to the scheme in principal but expressed concerns about a lack of parking.