Sunlight!

I took a couple of photos last wednesday (30 Nov) at 2.30 pm when Belle Vue Terrace was bathed in low winter sunlight. I don't think the photos do it justice but I reckon the sun was below the level of the propsed development-- therefore fully shaded... except maybe the rooftops.

I think the meeting on Sunday was very positive. If anyone has the addresses which we should to write to to voice our objections, then please email greavesresident@gmail.com and I'll post these up.

More about the proposed development

Developers McCarthy and Stone want to build retirement flats on the

Greaves Hotel site. The plan is to convert the Hotel and build 4 storey

blocks of accommodation on the car park. There would be around 50

residents, aged 80ish, plus 17 staff who would be on site at all times

since this development is between sheltered housing and a care home. There

would also be an on-site restaurant.

As local residents, we are concerned about the large scale of this

development. A 4 storey building would tower over the area, blocking the

view completely from the main road and dominating nearby houses, cutting

off light and infringing privacy with overlooking windows.

Residents in nearby streets are also worried about car parking - where

will 50 residents plus 17 staff and assorted visiting health

professionals, friends and family, park ? There is no way they can all fit

onto the existing site, which will have 2 large blocks and landscaping.

So that means an overspill into Ash Grove and nearby streets,

inconveniencing residents and causing a traffic hazard in what is already

a built up area.

And what is the new development going to be built from ? The developers

talked about a "statement" building at a meeting I attended with them as

part of the "pre-consultation" - does this mean glass and concrete totally

out of character with the stone and slate of Lancaster ?

This blog is our chance to make our voice heard so the planners and

developers do not ignore our wishes and make money at our expense. We only

live here after all.

Why we have started this blog.

Architects McCarthy and Stone are planning to develop the Greaves Hotel and the adjacent car park area into an old peoples' home. We have concerns about the height this will be built to and the effects on parking in the local area. Here is a picture to give an idea of how the building might affect the view from Belle Vue Terrace (picture taken from opposite the Spar).