Osed ITS site e refused

of the day in the summer.

A development of this scale should not be allowed in the Pembroke/Paceville area unless and until the government commits itself and implements effective solutions for traffic. In particular, a multi-level junction is required on the arterial road as well as an upgrading of the roads leading to it. The residents need solutions to the current problems of traffic congestion and impacts. The last thing they need is massive development that will make the situation many times worse.

Contrary to planning norms

The concerns about planning process are significant to the extent that the approval of the project by the Planning Authority would be a slap in the face to the planning profession and to all the efforts that were made in the past to build up a workable planning system. This is the reason why I took a particular interest in this proposed project. Another reason is that I am greatly dismayed by the way the planning system is being abused to justify a development that no sane planning board would approve.

The extent to which the proposed development misinterprets basic planning norms is shocking. Also shocking is the way the authorities are complicit – the same authorities who should be working for the public good and not for the interests of a speculative development.

In the public meetings and the protest, I could sense how greatly distressed the residents are. The quality of their lives will be degraded because of increased traffic delays, construc- tion traffic, pollution, shadowing, loss of amenity for pedestrians and significant visual impact. They are also worried about the loss in value of their life savings invested in their homes. Not only should the application be refused, but the Planning Authority should have never allowed the development to reach this stage. It has caused too much stress and tension in people.

For all these reasons, I strongly urge the Planning Authority to refuse the application. Moreover, the Planning Authority should insist that no development would be permitted on the site until a development brief is prepared and until plans are in hand for an appropriate multi-level junction on the main arterial road to provide appropriate vehicle access to Pembroke, St George’s Bay and Paceville.