Local Development Framework Consultation

6. Options for Meeting the Objectives and Delivering the Vision

Section 6 question 27 asks “have you any comments on any of the sites put forward?” In response to this I would like to OBJECT to development on site A15 – the common and support this site, A15, to be designated as Important Open Space. This site was designated as Important Open Space and is mentioned as part of the significant character of the AONB in the Landscape Character Assessment Document for the Area. There is no good reason to further erode the character of the AONB by building on this site. Arnside cannot meet the entire housing need of SLDC (often described as “local need”) however much people want to live here and however much the developers stand to make. At some point the endless expansion within the AONB, justified on the back of previous waves of expansion must be stopped and this site, A15, being one of the last flat meadowlands left must not be lost to development or the whole concept of the ANOB designation starts to become meaningless. Access along Redhills Rd to this site is poor with a single narrow pavement and the junction of Silverdale Road (a bus route) and Redhills Road is already subject to serious congestion at certain times of day, particularly when deliveries are being made to Avery’s convenience store. The doctor’s surgery and dentists are located close to this junction and it is a route regularly used by children to school. Congestion at this point is a serious safety concern and additional vehicles from any development of site A15 would exacerbate the existing congestion problem and increase the risks of accidents. A15 should be designated as Important Open Space as I was in a previous local plan.
As for sites A11, A12, A14, A22, A23, A24 et al., what a mess! The Map Book is incredibly poorly organised with regard to these sites, which whilst being contiguous and/or overlapping on the ground, they are not even on consecutive pages in the document. It makes one wonder if you could have done any more to confuse and put people off responding. This whole hill side which is again a characteristic open space for the AONB is visible on entry to the village and from a wide of locations in and around the village. I OBJECT to development in this area and support these sites as being designated as Important Open Spaces. These meadows are characteristic of the AONB and must be protected to prevent Arnside just becoming a single housing estate and losing the important character for which it was designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty. Both of the two main routes into the village pass by this area and more development in this area would lead to further congestion. Arnside is geographically out on a limb and has only limited access and limited local services (doctor, dentist, school, buses, etc) which are already stretched. Any expansion of more than a very small scale is unsustainable and these areas (A11, A12, A14, A22, A23, A24 et al.), collectively or individually represent a significant expansion that must not be allowed. Given their prominent position, particularly noticeable on entry to the village and their significant contribution to the character of the area these sites should be designated as Important Open Space.

The whole process is difficult for a lay-person to comprehend and access and seems designed to be as obtuse as possible