A LITTLE bit of Studley history could be bulldozed if plans to knock it down and build two semi-detached houses there instead are given the go-ahead.
Studley parish councillors spoke of their surprise that No26 Crooks Lane was not a listed building when the plans came up for consideration at Tuesday night’s meeting on August 20.
“Why do we want to lose a lovely old village cottage that’s been there forever just for a new build – there has got to be some village character left,” said Coun Brian Dixon.
A detached house in the property’s garden is currently nearing completion and councillors recalled how a previous application for two new houses on the site had been rejected by district planners as overcrowding and loss of amenity to neighbouring properties.
Here now again was the prospect of having three properties on the site.
They also questioned, among other things, the accuracy of the submitted plans and position of the proposed new property, the danger to pedestrians from cars reversing out of the driveways, the tandem rather than parallel parking and the loss of on-street parking.
“This was a cottage with parking for two vehicles and now we have the prospect of parking for up to six vehicles whilst losing all the parking along the road for local residents,” said Coun Paul Beaman.
“We’re also talking about the loss of a particularly notable building, part of the heritage of this village.”
In rejecting the plans, which now go on to Stratford for a decision, councillors also called for an explanation as to why the property in question was not already a listed building.
