In our May 2018 Newsletter we said that we were trying to get the grass verge in Grange Lane reinstated, in between the driveways of all the new houses on the west side. The replacement verges were clearly shown on the Countryside Properties layout plan - as issued to prospective house buyers - and on the Landscape Masterplan submitted to the City Council as part of the original planning application. We have now been informed that:

1. The Grange Lane footway and grass verge lay outside the official boundary of the planning application (being owned by the Council, not the developer), so the planning permission did not require that particular part of the landscaping to be implemented.

2. The reinstatement of the footway and verge was a matter for the Council's Highways Department, not the Planning Department, to negotiate. This process was separate from the planning application, and there was no requirement for public consultation.

3. "Due to changes in personnel", Countryside Properties are unable to explain why the landscaping plans were changed. However, they point out that "the potential verge area in front of plot 7 is peppered with manholes, gas governor and associated equipment, leaving little room for a continuous verge".

4. The final plans agreed between Countryside Properties and the Highways Department did NOT show verges on either corner of Chantry Road. They will not, therefore, be provided.

5. To reduce the chance of pavement parking occurring at this junction, a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) will be published in due course, and double yellow lines painted as and where necessary.