We welcome the news that the original development plans for the site at the edge of Rostrevor’s protected Ancient Oak Wood have been abandoned by the new owners Richland Group.
This common sense decision vindicates one of the key arguments in our Judicial Review, namely that a fresh application was required to replace the outdated and inaccurate documents supporting the various versions of earlier proposals.
We further welcome the introduction of some 21st century sustainability features to the new draft plans but there are still many questions to be answered if it is to truly “create a benefit to the local and wider area and add to the long term sustainability of the area” – as stated by the Council when they controversially approved the previous planning application in 2017.
While we wish Richland Group well, we challenge them to address some of the other key issues around the new plans, including how they would contribute to the immediate need for affordable family housing in the Rostrevor area, how the long term benefit of 90 jobs at the now abandoned nursing home will be replaced - as well as questions around the lack of a traffic impact report on a busy section of the A2 protected route.
Until the time comes for a full public consultation, RARE encourages everyone to have their voices heard and questions answered during this pre-application public consultancy by engaging with the proposal website (link below).
We hope that the rebranding of the development as an “eco village” is reflective of the new developer’s genuine intention to engage with the community regarding environmental concerns and the 21st century architectural context of the site. If so, we look forward to participating in meaningful consultations with the aim of reaching agreement on a development of which we can all be proud.