Fears Westbourne housing block 'will collapse' under plans

West End Investments is looking to expand Park Court in Western Road, off Alumhurst Road in Westbourne, with eight new flats. 

The planning application submitted to the council is not a full application, but a prior approval procedure to seek whether it is an acceptable proposal. 

But residents of Park Court and the surrounding area have written letters to BCP Council objecting to the proposals lodged. 

Park Court, Westbourne (Image: Google Maps)

Agnieszka Grabowska warned the building is at risk of collapsing under the weight of two extra storeys. 

The Park Court resident said: “The current building has lots of fairly large cracks and the foundations are old.  

“Adding two storeys of extra weight with no additional support will cause a safety risk as the building may collapse, subside or incur damage.” 

She added: “Existing residents will be unable to use their garages during construction, as the entrances will be blocked by scaffolding and building equipment.  

“This will create added pressure and inconvenience for those who park their vehicles and bikes there.” 

Yuliya Carapiet said: “As a resident of Park Court I know that I, the other nine flats here and neighbouring blocks such as Aurora, will be adversely impacted by noise, dust, vibration or traffic.” 

Alexandro Sorisi said the bins, which would be relocated as part of the plans, would “likely to a vermin issue, affecting the health and wellbeing of the residents and the wider community”. 

Georgia Eaton added: “I am a property manager for these types of buildings and can only foresee issues with this project to the building and other residents already living within the block.  

“Sounds like a total nightmare.” 

Meanwhile, Arthur Sweet said: "It does appear to be an over kill, the wrong development in the wrong place which will add to more congestion in the area.” 

Richard Mitchell, of the developer’s agent Chapman Lily Planning, said the proposal would have “numerous public benefits”. 

He said: “In terms of the social objective, the provision of additional dwellings would make a useful contribution to the local authorities housing requirements, in a location which has good accessibility to a range of services and facilities. 

“In respect of the environmental objective, the site is situated in a sustainable location that is conducive to deliver additional dwellings where residents need not be overly reliant on car use whilst the new dwellings would confirm to modern building standards and environmental performance via incorporating energy efficient features upon delivery.”