HOUSING developer Persimmon Homes has come under fire for a ‘minimalist’ approach to public consultation on plans to build up to 250 houses along Popes Lane, in Rockwell Green.

The company held a drop-in session in the Well Christian Centre on Thursday (June 27) which was attended by hundreds of local residents.

But many others said they were unaware of it or could not attend during the short three-hour window of 3 pm to 6 pm.

Hundreds of people attended a Persimmon Homes public consultation on proposed new housing in Popes Lane, Rockwell Green.
Hundreds of people attended a Persimmon Homes public consultation on proposed new housing in Popes Lane, Rockwell Green. (Tindle News)

The plans involve developing housing estates along either side of Popes Lane, which would have access blocked to force vehicles through the new estate and via a new junction with the A38 Wellington Relief Road.

A large area of land further to the east would be given over for open space and wildlife use to strengthen the green buffer between Wellington and Rockwell Green and extend a green belt around the town cemetery which the Coles farming family is planning to give to the town council.

Maps and illustrative drawings were on show during Thursday’s consultation event, and forms were available for residents to give their feedback to Persimmon.

Red boundaries show land along Popes Lane, Rockwell Green, which Persimmon Homes wants to develop, with the fields on the far right being used for open space and wildlife.
Red boundaries show land along Popes Lane, Rockwell Green, which Persimmon Homes wants to develop, with the fields on the far right being used for open space and wildlife. PHOTO: Persimmon. ( )

However, one attendee said: “The feeling generally I have got from talking to local people is that they are very much against it.

“People are worried about the effects on the environment, the community, school places, doctors’ surgeries, and if it will make flooding worse than it has already been made by the new building in Exeter Road.”

The resident said the consultation had been ‘very vague’ so ‘we did not really known what we were arguing about’.

She said: “There was no presentation, it was a minimal effort, and they had different people around the table answering different questions but they could not answer some of the questions.”

The resident said she only found out late about the exercise because Persimmon did not leaflet local homes to inform people and had carried out little advertising of it.

A spokesman for Persimmon said: “There were numerous plans spread out across several tables.

“The idea was to allow people to then mark on comments or annotate on a note and place on the plans. 

“The project team, including members of Persimmon and numerous consultants, were available at all times and approaching interested viewers, and it was very clear who was there in attendance to discuss the scheme.

“Key representatives from the community, town council, to the divisional ward members, were all notified of the engagement event.

“The feedback forms were on a separate table right next to the main, only, entrance, which everyone had to walk past.

“At this stage of the planning process we are exploring concept ideas and the principle of development, as such there are no fixed or detailed plans to present.

“The ideas showcased are building upon those within the Wellington Plan, which identifies this site as an area of growth for delivering vital much-needed homes for local people.

“As we progress these plans through the planning process, we will be able to showcase more detail.”