Romsey’s planning committee has approved new security gates amid rising crime concerns, despite some objections from local residents.
Romsey: The Test Valley Borough Council’s Southern Area Planning Committee has given the green light for Mark Perress to install new driveway gates and brick pillars at his home in Oxlease Meadows. This decision comes after a lot of back and forth.
Even though the application was approved, it wasn’t a smooth ride. Some council members, like Cllrs Sandra Gidley and Dr. Alan Warnes, weren’t on board, and Cllr Celia Dowden chose to abstain from voting.
Mr. Perress spoke up during the meeting, emphasizing that his main goal is security. He pointed out that Romsey has seen a troubling rise in crime, including thefts and burglaries, with Oxlease being a hotspot.
The application was tweaked after residents complained it didn’t fit the neighborhood’s vibe. Some folks were worried that the gates would block sightlines in the open area and that their height—averaging two meters—would be too much.
One neighbor, Jerry Vaughan, expressed concern that approving these gates could set a bad example for future developments in the area.
Planning officers noted that there are already other brick pillars and gates scattered throughout the estate, even if they aren’t in the same section as this proposal.
Cllr John Parker, who supported the application, acknowledged the unique style of the cul-de-sac but pointed out that similar structures exist elsewhere in the estate. He felt it would be tough to find solid reasons to deny the application.
On the flip side, Cllr Celia Dowden voiced her objections, saying the view from that spot is quite open and symmetrical, and adding the gates would disrupt that balance. She was concerned it would change the overall look of the street.
