Response from Mrs Judith Manifold (Individual)
1. Mrs Judith Manifold (Individual) : 4 Apr 2011 10:18:00
Settlement
Kirkby Lonsdale
Map Number
3 (1 of 2) Kirkby Lonsdale
Site reference number (e.g. R62) - If your comment is about a specific site you must indicate the correct site reference.
R642M
Housing
Oppose
Employment
Oppose
Retail
Oppose
Community uses
Oppose
Open space
Support
Please explain your reasons
I propose that this site, close to the Devil’s Bridge amenity area, be removed from the list of possible development sites.
As conceded in both the Emerging Options Consultation Document and the Fact File, the Devil’s Bridge area is a key recreation space, bringing throughout the year large numbers of tourists who are attracted to the Grade 1 listed structure/Scheduled Ancient Monument and the public access land around the River Lune. The pedestrian approach into town from the Bridge, alongside the open field in question, is key to the overall charm of the area, encourages visitors to walk into town, and brings trade to local businesses. To build on this site, described in the Fact File as a “prominent location” within the area, would undermine the integrity of the natural green space that is a fundamental component of this crucial visitor attraction. The suggestion, in the Consultation Documents, that development would be limited to the western part of the field, would not in any way mitigate its adverse impact, since people would still be able to see the houses from the Bridge and would have to walk past them before reaching the existing outskirts of the town centre. The Consultation Document itself asserts the importance of “maintaining and enhancing parks and open spaces” - surely this is one open space that should be included in that consideration, given that it is an integral part of one of Kirkby Lonsdale’s main visitor attractions? The view from Devil’s Bridge would be transformed from open green space, often with grazing sheep, to what would amount to a housing estate and it is easy to see how, over time, the tourist footfall would diminish as people transfer their interest to more attractive areas.
These arguments alone should be convincing enough.
However, there are also conservation arguments to be considered. In the western part of the field, where the building work would be concentrated, there is a large Plane tree and a large Ash tree, designated by The Woodlands Trust as “Notable” and “Veteran” respectively. Development of this site would inevitably involve damage or even felling of these trees. For this reason alone, development should not be considered; these important specimens should be preserved not only for the key contribution they make to the attractiveness of the green space, but crucially for the benefit of the natural environment.
