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Dear Scrutiny,
I am a concerned resident of the area of the People's Park. I lived in this area when I was a child and played in the park and pathways of the Westmount Road. My love for this part of the island bought me back here in my retirement and I have been living here now for 15 years.
I am devastated to learn that since the Overdale site was chosen, it is proposed to widen Westmount Road to 12 meters for the construction lorries to access the site. This will mean the historic road and People's Park will be lost. The emergency services have no issue using the road as it is, so this will all be completely unnecessary. What a waste and loss of all the beautiful trees and pathways up the hill, and the bowling green.
It also distresses me to think of those poor people who are having their houses compulsory purchased for the sake of this site. Is there not a way that the construction vehicles can get to the site without demolishing people's homes and our parklands?
The Hillcrest houses were built without issue, and the same for the new apartments at the bottom of Westmount Road that overlook the park. So why does this building project require such extreme action? There must be other options, such as another route or one-way system which should be considered.
Also, it was my understanding that the park was listed and could not be built on or destroyed, but these proposals seem to be able to compulsory purchase it without anyone having a say. The park is protected and should remain so, for the people.
Why wasn't more consideration given to other sites with better access such as the Waterfront or where the Nightingale hospital is? It seems like all the most suitable locations have been rejected for flats, and the person in charge of the project is determined to build on or destroy our park!
In the end it will just be a green traffic island in the middle of a motorway with no one able to use it for anything at all and all the trees, wildlife, history and beauty of the area destroyed. I implore you, please do not let this happen. Please save our park!
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Kathleen Blood 26a Old St John's Road. St Helier.