Time to vote on future of controversial property site

ALL members of Stratford Town Trust are to be asked what they think the charity should now do with a house it bought for £615,000 after its controversial plans for the property were refused.

The trust has launched a survey of its 2,000 members that it says will then shape its decision-making in relation to the land it owns at Benson Road and Rowley Fields.

Several years ago the trust bought 7, Benson Road on the edge of Welcombe Hills with a plan to demolish it and build five new homes on the site.

But last July the proposals, which caused uproar among local residents, were unanimously rejected by members of Stratford District Council’s west area planning committee.

That decision came on top of the trust’s aborted plans to sell off land on adjoining Rowley Fields for a much bigger development of 80 homes.

Alan Haigh, the chairman of the trust, said: “At our AGM in July we pledged to survey our membership before making any further decisions in relation to Benson Road, and we are now acting on that commitment.

“The results of the survey will be published prior to the trust’s December board meeting and the results will be used to inform our decision-making. The board’s decision will be published prior to the end of 2016.”

Members have until 5pm on Thursday, 1st December, to complete the survey online HERE.