University project sparks road fears

TRAFFIC has been highlighted as the number one issue for residents concerned about plans for more homes in their village.

More than 100 people packed out Keele Village Hall last night for a public meeting on plans to demolish student accommodation and sell the land off for housing.

Keele University wants to knock-down its Hawthorns complex, a 12-acre site which caters for 651 students, to build homes and retirement accommodation.

Villagers were told the scheme was still in the very early stages but most of the questions put forward related to traffic issues.

Some were worried residents of the proposed properties would add to rush hour chaos, while others were concerned about more cars on already dangerous roads.

One resident told the meeting: "Arrangements need to be made in terms of transport. It is all going to come through the village to these houses and we already take our lives into our hands on these roads."

Professor Watson Fuller, who works at the university and lives on campus, said: "Traffic really is a major issue, particularly in Quarry Bank Road, which has a number of problems."

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Wenslie Naylon, who represents Keele on Newcastle Borough Council, and questions were answered by a panel.

It included university registrar Simon Morris and representatives from J&S Seddon Ltd, the firm which would build new student residencies and recoup the costs by demolishing the old ones and redeveloping the Hawthorns.

The panel told residents conditions could be attached to the planning application to make sure traffic measures were in place.

Ms Naylon said: "There is a real demand for change in getting this traffic situation sorted out."

Mr Morris told those gathered: "It is premature to think about how many cars there are going to be compared to how many there are at the moment, but we will abide by what the highways authorities lay down in the planning application."

The exact number of homes that could be built has not yet been revealed but it is believed it could be up to 200.

People at the meeting were told there would be a variety of homes built.

Mr Morris added: "We would be looking at a range of sizes, some two and three-bedroom homes including some four and five-bedroom homes."

Villagers were told that shifts at the retirement village, which would include an element of dementia care, would be off-peak to try to lessen traffic problems.

Other concerns included whether the value of other properties in the village would be affected and what other proposals could be put forward if this was approved.

Quarry Bank Road resident Chris Harrison, aged 65, said: "Traffic isn't the only thing, we also need to think about the impact on the school when families move into these homes and whether there will be things like a shop in the retirement village."

The meeting was the second chance residents have had to comment on the plans after a consultation event two weeks ago.

If the scheme is given the green light, it could take up to five years to complete.