Local Development Framework Consultation

All plans relating to Ulverston

Oppose

This is a letter posted today and included here as aware of cut-off

Dear Mr McNeill
Ulverston Town Development Plan – A General Comment
Having had a look at the land allocation plans you have drawn up in respect of Ulverston town, I am disappointed at the woeful lack of imagination they display. Whilst topographical considerations clearly limit the scope of development, the allocations in general belie the existence of a longer term “development plan”. Such a plan would surely take into account significant future infra-structural changes, for example the re-routing of the A590.
The allocations to my mind have the appearance of the worst kind of planning. This is the periphery estate doughnutting which blights a majority of developed English small towns. Kendal is a case in point. In response to Ulverston’s topographical constraints this leads to a proposed southerly bulge to the existing Croftlands estate, with pockets of “in-fill” grasped at wherever the opportunity may more or less conveniently present itself. This is not Planning. Despite the undoubtedly great amount of work put into the enunciation of background principles, statements of objectives, research and fact gathering and so forth, what you have come up with is neither challenging nor imaginative.
My fear is that the proposals you put forward will lead to yet more amorphous, developer led estate building, without the backbone of a structural plan that will truly enhance our community, and preserve Ulverston’s thriving local character, a jewel of a small town in the context of the entire country, not just South Lakeland.
In my view the scale of expansion of the housing stock relating to Ulverston is both economically and socially unjustifiable, unless of course we see the need to create another large scale retirement home, in place of the diverse community we currently have. Given that the size and pace of expansion is a diktat we are forced to accept, then the most appealing solution would be that based on outlying satellite nodes of development, incorporating localised services, and preserving permanent green spaces between these nodes and the core community.
I understand that such a concept represents an enormous challenge. But it is precisely this kind of initiative and courage which the community should reasonably expect from our professional servants, if we are to keep the best of what we currently have, and create something bold and successful for tomorrow.
Yours sincerely
Rees Hare

Land Allocations Emerging Options Consultation Document *

All

Oppose

I wholeheartedly endorse the views expressed Dr Brian Hoyle in his excellent critique submitted today. I fully support all of the comments he makes as also the conclusions he draws. It should be clear to all involved in this currently severely flawed planning process that no further action should be taken until the new legislation empowering greater decision making at local level is put in place.