Petition takes aim at Haverhill developments

A petition has been launched by residents seeking to oppose a new housing development in the town.

Plans to demolish garages in Nayland Road to make way for additional housing were opposed by the town council and were rejected by the borough council before being granted on appeal.

At a town council meeting on June 23, the council reaffirmed its opposition to Havebury housing association’s plans for the site and vowed to stand with residents who were against the proposals.

A petition has now been launched, urging Havebury to abandon the development and to respect the wishes and concerns of local communities.

Councillor Pat Hanlon said: “I urge all members of the public to sign that petition.

“The more people we have sign it, the more likely it is that Havebury will listen.”

Cllr Hanlon said that the majority of complaints from residents about the development centred upon the sheer volume of housing which would cause existing buildings to be overlooked or encroached upon.

He also said that parking would become an even bigger issue, with more residents being added and parking spaces being taken away.

Cllr Hanlon said; “I just hope we, as a town council, can provide some hope for people. I know they [Havebury] have problems with land but they’ve got to realise this estate wasn’t built for this number of cars. It’s ridiculous. They must think about what they are doing.”

At a meeting held at the Leiston Centre on June 24, residents expressed their concern at the development and discussed possible options.

The petition can be found online at https://www.change.org/p/havebury-housing-association-abandon-the-development-of-housing-on-nayland-road-ladygate-garages-site-in-haverhill?just_created=true