DEVELOPERS behind a £4.5m affordable homes project in Weymouth have responded to residents’ concerns for a proposed new access route to the site - and have agreed to limit delivery times and put traffic marshals in place for public safety.
Marchesi House, a former sheltered housing site off Radipole Lane, Southill, is due to be demolished and the site transformed into 18 houses and 13 flats for rent and shared ownership, with all tenants being drawn from the general housing waiting list.
Concerns have been raised over revised construction access proposals by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) to access Sycamore Road and Rowan Close for deliveries to be made to the site.
Sycamore Road and Rowan Close are routes used by pupils of nearby Radipole Primary School.
A meeting was held where residents could find out more about the new homes and to comment and provide views on the construction access proposals.
The community event on Monday night saw local residents as well as local councillors attend to find out more, to ask questions and to raise any concerns for the site, which is planned to commence shortly.
BCHA alongside contractor, Drew Smith, provided additional information about the scheme including details of the proposed means of access and the measures that would be implemented to reduce risks and ensure safety.
Colin Salisman, project manager at BCHA, said: “Pedestrian safety is our main priority. The proposals put forward would be to have traffic marshals wait on the junction that meets Sycamore Road with Radipole Lane, who then escort deliveries onto the site through Rowan Close and Poplar Close. It’s a practical and safe approach.
“Accessing this route for deliveries would result in the development being completed within a period of 18 months. Deliveries will not take place between 8.15am to 9.15am, and then 2.45pm to 3.45pm. This was agreed after being consulted by those representing Radipole Primary. So there will be no risk to children.
“Demolition was supposed to start last March, but due to Covid there’s unfortunately been delays.”
Local councillor Pete Barrow said he would like to see deliveries made via Radipole Lane.
He said: “It would avoid congestion for residents in Sycamore Road and Rowan Close.
"The deliveries could be accessed through the entrance to the former Marchesi House, where they plan to build homes labelled eight, nine and 10. Once the majority of the development is built, then they can build those three remaining homes.
"It will be a longer process, and likely cost more, but these homes will be here for the next 200 years - and the developers will make that money back in no time.”
Contractor Drew Smith has been appointed for the redevelopment following demolition.
Yvonne Mills, head of partnership at Drew Smith, said: “To access the site via Sycamore Road and Rowan Close would be the best option to complete the work as soon as possible, which we estimate to be 18 months.
“Accessing the site via Radipole Lane would add an extra six months to development.
“There’s a huge shortage of social housing and we want these homes built as soon as possible.”
Paul Derrien, housing enabling team leader at Dorset Council, said: “It’s a shame it has been delayed for so long.
“All parties involved want to provide more homes to alleviate pressure from the overwhelmed housing register.
“All the homes provided would be for general housing.”
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