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Dear Sir or madam
I am a resident of Dalkeith for the past 9 years. I love living in this neighborhood. I feel overwhelmed by the proposed concept plan for development in Dalkeith. It just does not make sense to me.
I have studied the proposals and spoken to many people including the landowners who would benefit financially from excessive development. I understand the need for change and progress but this seems to be only in the interests of the developers and some landowners. What about the rest of the community?
My main concerns are the amount of traffic and cars that such a huge development would bring.
I live on the intersection of Alexander/Genesta/Neville. Coming out of my driveway can be extremely hazardous at the present even with the current population. I dread to think what it would be like when the population explodes a few meters away from my home.
I have spoken to some of the proposed landowners who tell me that over three blocks there would be a chance of developing 27 apartments!! This is crazy. Where would the cars go?
Allowing for the fact that each couple will have 2 cars – what happens if they have visitors or want to party. If there are no children then parties WILL happen! (Despite underground parking). Will
it be in front of my house that the extra cars will end up going. Does the council then plan to take all the verges that have been lovingly watered and maintained so that the visitors and
consumers can park? How will this affect the value of my property?
I see how much traffic just one business (Cimbalinos) brings I shudder to think what the proposed development would bring.
My children currently walk to the shop and I feel they can cross the road with the volume of traffic now. With an increase in the volume of traffic how will their safety be compromised?

Another traffic concern is the ease of getting from Dalkeith onto the Stirling highway. Extra traffic flow from this proposed development will cause delays at lights and then add to the congestion on the Stirling highway. Anyone who lives here knows how difficult it is at peak hour especially around Claremont and the Christchurch area.
With the increase in density and proposed retail people other than residents will also come with their cars. More cars, more people, more crime. Being a little peninsula Dalkeith does not often get much flow through traffic – I believe having higher density of retail will attract crime. We have already lost a police station down at Broadway. Has the council considered this?

I am also against subdividing blocks into many small apartments. I would be happy with the proposed residential areas to be subdivided once and two story houses built.
I think that the existing retail area could be improved upon and it would suffice existing community. With Broadway and Claremont all within two kilometers it would be retail saturation have further retail.

To recap my letter:
I disagree with the Dalkeith development because
1. The problems of increased traffic
2. Increase in crime with increase in passing trade
3. Parking issues (there is never enough parking)
4. High density and high-rise buildings are not in keeping – white elephant development
5. Retail saturation for the area serves no purpose

Lastly I feel anxious that there are hidden agendas with regard to this development. I hope that the integrity of the council and the city is not compromised by the greed and desires of a few. I
went on my walk last pm and enjoyed the relative quiet and birdsong. I sincerely hope that this will not be destroyed by a rushed through decision leading to the demise of a suburb as we know it.
Yours sincerely’
Caroline Briggs
24 Genesta Crescent
Dalketih

93896806