Another group wins

Another group who came out winners at the District Planning meeting was the Billington Park Residents Association.

They were opposing the Town Council's decision to build a temporary car park on the site of the current running track at Astral Park.

I had a very hard decision over this application. I really wanted to sit on the fence. While I agreed we need the car park space, I was unhappy with its location and the damage it would cause to those living on the estate in its proposed location.

I was lucky to be taken on a tour of the estate meeting with a number of residents who all were opposed to the car park and I was more convinced of the effects it would cause.

I didn't publically support the objections due to the other campaigns I was involved in (but I do hope my conversations with members of the committee was of some use) but also as I thought it would be given permission despite its obvious drawbacks. However, thanks to the community working as a team, the residents got the result they wanted and the car park will not be built.

In September when the football pitches are laid out I am sure we will have parking problems and I hope we can find a solution nearer the time.