Local Development Framework Consultation

2. Background

Question 1. Major development as defined in the blue box on page 12 of the Discussion Paper should not be exceeded in any new definition of major development within the ANOB should this be defined on a cases by case basis.

3. Evidence Base

Action needs to be taken so affordable housing built as affordable housing remains affordable and is restricted to people having lived in the ANOB for at least 5 years in the last 15 years who have grown up in the area or with family associations here. Affordability needs to be defined as at least a minimum percentage below the market value for the property and action taken to prevent such housing being sold on at prices above this level and to people without the above minimum connections to the area. Otherwise any affordable housing will not remain affordable and thus any need for affordable housing within the ANOB will never be met.

Question 2. There is a strong need to link proposed development to local needs to prevent a land grab by developers, based only on their own financial interest. I do not dispute a need for affordable housing, but there does not appear to be a need for more expensive properties. A search on rightmove.co.uk alone on the 29/11/15 identified 258 properties for sale within a 3 mile radius of Arnside.

It is unclear how the need for 72 affordable homes with the ANOB by 2020 was identified. Surveying local residents on this and infrastructure needs would be a good starting point in identifying local needs.

4. Vision and Objectives

Question 4. I think the ANOB vision is about right, although development need to be kept to the minimum necessary to protect the ANOB.

Question 5. I think the objectives are about right.

5. Policy Issues

Question 6. The use of non-affordable houses to subsidise affordable houses at a rate of 35 to 40% of new homes on a site being affordable ones allows too much construction in the ANOB. The percentage of affordable homes needs to be increased to at least 50% and if necessary some district council funds be put to the cost of these homes.
Council taxes on second homes in the ANOB could be increased and the funds generated put towards construction of affordable homes in the area, thus lifting the percentage of affordable homes in new developments.

Question 7 – Yes where possible.

Question 8 – Yes within reason. Building some affordable house with facilities for the elderly or infirm is clearly needed, but will increase development costs. Therefore it would be sensible to put these measures into an appropriate percentage of affordable homes, but perhaps not all, to enable the percentage of affordable homes in developments to be increased.

Question 9 – Yes, but this needs to be controlled to prevent spoiling the scenery within the ANOB.

Question 10 (brownfield land). Yes use of brownfield land should be prioritised. I understand some of the proposed sites are contaminated land ie Trafalgar Garage Arnside, Station Yard Arnside and possibly the Travis Perkins site in Sandside which is old railway sidings. There would be benefit id developing these sites to ensure any contamination issues are addressed. Other brown field sites are not particularly attractive eg Arnside telephone exchange or quarry lane depot Sandside. Development of the old boat-yard site in Arnside would also be beneficial either to restore or replace the old boatyard building which is progressively decaying.

Question 12. Arnside needs a car park near station. Using the station yard appears sensible with on-road parking by the station restricted to drop-off / pick-ups and disabled parking. There is a need for development that would create more local job opportunities in the area.

Question 13 (locations for employment) Sandside Travis Perkins site and Quarry Depot, Quarry at Silverdale, Wilacy’s at Sandside.

Question 14 (energy). Solar on roofs is an obvious win. Large-scale wind would not be appropriate, but smaller scale systems that can put on buildings without causing structural damage could be a way forward. Many woodland areas within the ANOB could be coppiced to provide wood pellets for biomass boilers providing some jobs and better managing some of our woodlands. Clearly larger sites using the woodchip boilers such as schools or care homes would be helpful to enable more efficient boilers to be used thus protecting air quality. A scheme allowing landowners to long-term rent pieces of grazing land to adjacent houses for installation of borehole based ground-source heat pumps may be worth investigation.
Question 16. I agree parking near Arnside station is needed. Station yard is an obvious location for this, with on-road parking by the station restricted to drop-offs/ pickups and disabled parking.
Introducing a small parking charge for non-residents parking on Arnside Prommenade (50p for 2 hours and £1 for up to 12 hour or £2 for 24 hours) could generate significant income for Arnside Parish Council each year.

Question 17. I agree new and extended caravan sites need to be controlled, but they also generate income and jobs. I think new areas can within limits be allowed, but should be screened by surrounding trees and with the areas planted with trees to minimise visual impact.

Question 18. I would add:
• Is the space important for soaking up rainfall and runoff water in the local area or helping to avoid flooding issues.
• Would development of the space significantly negatively impact parking issues in the local area.

Question 20 (new open spaces)
• The common on Redhills Road Arnside. This is the only green space along most of Redhills Road or adjoining the Inglemere estate. It also runs alongside a flat right of way that is used my many people, particularly elderly people who can no longer make it up the knott. Therefore it is an important green space in this part of the village. Development of this site would most likely cause problems with a row of parked cars along this part of Redhills which would be difficult to pass and potentially hinder traffic from and to the Inglemere estate.

• Station field similarly provides an important green space as people enter Arnside without which this part of Arnside would feel very built up. It also contains historic salt plans which could be better presented and which United Utilities had to take great care not to damage when undertaking significant work in Arnside. Judging by how often this land floods it probably also protects the road to the station from flooding during heavy rain.

• Yet again the fields adjoining Briery Bank in Arnide provide important private green space in this part of Arnside. It is also important this hill be kept clear of parked vehicles due to the bends on it and particularly to avoid accidents in icy weather. Development at the top of Briery Bank is already causing problems with parked vehicles even on a bend which is not policed. Development of the land adjoining Briery Bank is highly likey to cause problems on the hill itself.


Question 22 (biodiversity) – Yes.

Question 23. There are lots of implications. However, in new developments we need to move beyond simply discharging all surface runoff into sewers. If operated correctly non-mains sewage could be seen as an opportunity to generate renewable power via anaerobic digestion in areas where mains sewage and treatment is not possible. This could also provide opportunities for local farms to produce crops for co-digestion with the sewage. We need to look at sewage as a resource for generating renewable energy through community projects rather that a waste problem. Similarly could you look at development based run-off water collection with the aim of toilets only using this water.

Question 24 – Yes.

Question 25 Yes.

6. Options for Meeting the Objectives and Delivering the Vision

Question 26. I prefer option 6, but avoiding allocation in open countryside unless absolutely necessary. Focusing development in primary settlements only results in turning these into progressively more urban environments losing their character as villages and prioritising the interests of smaller settlements over the majority who live in larger settlements. Instead smaller settlements could be helped to keep their services such as schools, shops, pubs and public transport by offering them appropriate supporting developments. This would enable new more sustainable villages to be grown while keeping larger villages as villages within the ABOB rather than converting them into towns.

Question 27. I have already made these comments in answer to other questions. However, the number of sites identified for development is completely disproportionate to local development needs and just looks like as many people as possible trying to make large profits by selling agricultural land for development with little or no thought about if this will benefit local communities.

Question 28. The list of criteria for sites needs information that only the owner will have access to. Therefore there needs to be a facility for people to suggest sites which the ANOB then contact site owners about to determine their interest and complete your form.

Question 29. Yes. Arnside, Silverdale, Beetham, Warton.

7. Delivery of Development

Question 30. Phase in 5 year periods.

Question 31 (other issues).
• The consultation has been undertaken very poorly and has failed to consult many people in Arnside:
o Only 1 every few houses in Arnside received postcards notifying them of the consultation. I know many people near me who did not receive these notifications.
o The consultation event at 2-7pm on a weekday was held at a time when the majority of working people in Arnside will be unable to attend.
o The consultation documents were only available in the village at the ANOB office apart from on 1 afternoon. The ANOB office is closed on weekends and only open 9-4pm on weekdays. Therefore once again making it virtually impossible for those working outside the village to see the documents.

• The plans designate virtually all green space in Arnside for building, which is unnecessary and will destroy the character of the village in addition to failing to meet the objectives of the ANOB.

• There are limited numbers of jobs in the local area. There is no point building large numbers of houses without appropriate job creation.