CONCERNED villagers say drivers and pedestrians could be at ‘serious risk’ if housing plans in Shottery are given the green light.
Stansgate Planning have applied to build six new homes on an old horse paddock, behind houses on Shottery Road.
And residents are concerned trucks carrying building materials along the narrow country lane will be an added danger on top of regular congestion.
They also claim that if plans are approved the site will be accessed via a narrow entrance on a sharp bend, which increases risk to drivers.
But the company say the planned driveway would allow for large vehicles including bin lorries to safely manoeuver.
Resident Stuart Mucklow said: “During weekdays Shottery Road is heavily congested with coaches and parents taking children to and from Shottery Grammar School. I myself have witnessed several near misses with coaches and pedestrians when cars have had to drive onto the pavement to allow traffic to flow.”
The village – which is currently facing a development of 800 houses behind Anne Hathaway’s Cottage – is considered an area of conservation and residents fear its rural character could be compromised.
Hathaway ward councillor Peter Moorse has also voiced concerns over the impact on the important listed buildings in the area and the change to its character.
Anne Carus said: “The development of housing on the land changes the character and appearance of the land completely from open rural space to built up urban space.”
Stansgate’s report into the site reads: “We believe the strategy for the proposed scale mass, layout and materials of the development of the site will result in a development that fits into the fabric of the village and will contribute positively to the environment both visually and economically.”
