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Not in my back yard – think of the children!
View - Land off Barlow Road in Wendover that is for sale by AVDC
A mother-of-two is gearing up to gather a petition urging the council not to sell of the land on her estate for more housing, but to build a play area instead.
The site on Barlow Road in Wendover, which is owned by Aylesbury Vale District Council, is up for sale with possibility of it being used for homes.
But Leona Wheals, who has two young daughters, says there is nothing within walking distance for the girls after a play area on the site was moved elsewhere in the village when she was a teen.
The 29 year old, who lives on Barlow Road, said: “I grew up in Wendover and I used to play there when we were kids.
“But one day, without any notice as far as I’m aware, our play equipment had just been picked up and moved to Ashbrook Park.
“They said it was because it was of vandalism, but I don’t understand how the equipment was still fine to go elsewhere, had it been ruined.”
And now Miss Wheals has her own children, aged one and five, she says there is nothing for them within suitable reach.
“There’s so many children on our estate, they need a play area,” she added.
“There’s a play area not far away, but there’s signs saying it’s only for the use of RAF families, and we get criticised if we use it.
“I just think the council should be giving something back to the community.”
Miss Wheals added that she understands Wendover CofE Junior School is already under pressure, so if more houses meant more children, this could prove a problem with school places.
The 0.7 acre site is, however, large enough only for around six houses, and the land is currently disused and overgrown.
Back in 2009, there was also a garage on the site, but disused and containing ‘significant amounts’ of asbestos, this had to be demolished.
In the report promoting sale of the land, issued by the cabinet member for economic development at the council, Michael Edmonds, it states three developers have approached the council over the past few weeks with an interest in the site.
It adds that while there is uncertainty in the residential development market, officers believe the site is ‘likely to attract a good level of demand from potential purchasers’.
But former cabinet member Phil Yerby says he is concerned about the plans.
“I just fear that we’re selling off the family silver too soon. If we sell it without planning permission it’s worth a lot less.”
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Weather for Aylesbury
Friday 24 May 2013
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