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Residents of Curzon Park are opposing a plan to build housing association homes on the estate

WORRIED residents of a Calne retirement village say they will fight plans that could see social housing built on their doorsteps.

Westlea Housing Association bought land in Curzon Park last summer and plans to build 28 homes, including two multi-storey buildings with about seven flats.

The proposals, which are still in their early stages and have not been formally heard by Calne Town Council, were announced at a council meeting on February 12.

Westlea project manager Justin Kent confirmed 30 per cent of the new homes would be social housing.

Bungalows dominate Curzon Park and residents fear the influx of families will destroy the community.

Speaking after the meeting, 82-year-old Barbara Wilkins said she feared the development might push her into an early grave.

Mrs Wilkins, who was born in Calne, said: "I have lived in my bungalow for 15 years and it is lovely on the estate. The estate is a little oasis. My husband worked hard all his life so we had somewhere nice to retire.

"If this goes ahead I shall be in my grave."

Another resident, Chris Allen, said: "I am thinking of creating an action group against this. Most people come here to live out their days.

"After the meeting last Tuesday, many people left in a state of shock.

"The plans should be for bungalows not for two storey buildings which will look over people's homes. It's just outrageous."

Alan Hancock, 72, a resident for five years, said: "This development is out of keeping with the whole ethos of the estate.

"Curzon Park is the nicest estate in Calne. I am very concerned about the traffic problems this development will create."

Mr Kent told the audience Westlea would do an extensive public consultation before the proposals are finalised.

Westlea's head of new business and development, Vic O'Brien, said they were committed to consulting residents before submitting planning applications.

She said: "As a relatively small, local developer with a strong community focus, the team has specifically designed the scheme to take on board feedback from residents wanting to see bungalows built rather than houses.

"The majority of homes on the site would be for outright sale, with one third affordable, in line with local authority planning regulations.

"We support these regulations as one way of helping to ensure that new affordable homes are available for the ever increasing number of local people unable to afford to buy their own home outright or pay a private landlord."

2:35pm Thursday 21st February 2008

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