Peel residents plan their objections to Empire Garage proposals

Peel residents met on Wednesday night to discuss their objections to plans  which some have branded ‘completely overwhelming’ and ‘totally unsuited to the local area’.

It comes after applications were lodged by Empire Garage to demolish buildings at three sites in the town and replace them with apartment blocks and new homes.

Around 100 people gathered at the Masonic Hall in the town at a meeting organised by members of the local community.

Many agreed the proposals for the sites at Marine Parade, Stanley Road and Cross Street were inappropriate for a conservation area, and raised a number of issues.

In their application, the owners of the sites claim the independent motor trade has suffered in recent times, and there was a need to investigate ‘development opportunities’.

Organisers of the meeting, Sarah and Andrew Johnson, held a presentation where they explained to residents how they can ‘effectively’ make their views known through the planning process.

Mr Johnson also revealed that some of the artist impressions of the proposed developments were actually considerably smaller than what architects had planned.

There were audible gasps in the room when power-point slides depicting this comparison were shown.

There are six applications in total; three requesting permission to demolish existing buildings, with three more for the developments themselves.

A total of 26 flats and five town houses are mooted.