NEIGHBOURS living in Swadlincote overshadowed by a multi-million care home village have said they are ‘living life on the edge’.
A chosen group of three residents of Hall Farm Road spoke out at Swadlincote Area Forum on Tuesday, over problems they have incurred since the construction of Oakland Village began.
The residents have now enquired about residents’ only parking to cope with what they claim to be inconsiderate parking by those constructing the site and those working in it.
John Straw, who attended the meeting and whose home overlooks the village, said: “There were supposed to be 180 car parking spaces, and I have counted 80 so since the construction started there have been cars and vans parking outside our homes all day. It was a nice quiet street and I know we have to go forward with a care village but it has been a problem from day one.
“We had constant traffic from 7.30am to 5pm. The site agent was brilliant, he got the workers off the roads, but when they were constructing it, there were about 35 vans parked outside. They were sub contractors so they all had their own vans.
“It is not even fully open yet and nearly all the car parking spaces are full. We have struggled to park outside our homes and are forever going out to ask people to move their cars but a lot refuse.”
His wife, Jean, added: “We thought this village will be for older people as it is a care village, but they will have a gym, a restaurant, dancers, a cinema, and a hairdressers.”
The couple added that during the construction, they kept their bedroom curtains closed as two cranes were overhead, and they were constantly cleaning their windows and cars because of the dust created.
Now, they admit that they need to look forward and combat what they believe is a growing problem.
Mr Straw said: “We are trying to get some residents’ parking. It has gone past the stage where we can do anything about what has happened. Now we must focus on the parking issues which will get worse when more of the village opens and more functions are put on.
“When you come back home you don’t know if you have a car parking space. You don’t want that for the rest of your life - we are living life on the edge.
“Jean and I are no longer young people and there will come a day when we cannot walk down our road to get to our home with bags of shopping.
“There are other options where they can give us ‘resident only’ signs, or white lines or let us have the village parking as a last resort.”
The residents were told by the council members that they will get in touch when the issue has been raised at a council meeting.
Mr Straw added: “Gill Farrington, Swadlincote ward member for Derbyshire County Council took my number. I thought the meeting went alright.”
