Plans in the Pipeline for Stevensons’ Heating Site

Residents near the old Stevensons’ Heating premises will shortly be seeing draft plans for a new sheltered housing scheme for older people on the site. The developers, Renaissance Retirement , will be contacting those living within a few hundred yards of the site to discuss their ideas before submitting a planning application, which they expect to do before Christmas.

Graham and Neil saw the plans yesterday with the developer and during discussions took the opportunity to stress the need for adequate off-site parking (though such schemes tend to generate lower traffic levels than ‘normal’ housing). They also noted that the architects involved appear keen to complement the building styles of the surrounding roads and to preserve as many of the trees along the edge of the site as possible.

We will watch the progress of the plans with interest and as always will welcome the views of residents.

Stevenson Heating Site – Changes Afoot?

Rumours have been circulating about the future of the Stevenson Heating premises in West Common Road.

There have been significant changes to the business including a management buy-out, though happily  Stevenson Heating will continue to trade, as they have for nearly 90 years. However, we understand that an interest has been shown in the current site for use as a residential care home or ‘assisted living’ scheme.

Clearly such a proposal will need to go through the planning process, but your Conservative councillors will be keeping a close watch for further news.