Local Development Framework Consultation

Kendal

1 (2 of 6) Kendal North West

R46

Oppose

Oppose

Oppose

Support in part

Support

DEVELOPMENT WOULD HARM THE VISUAL AMENITY AND LANDSCAPE CHARACTER OF KENDAL
This site falls outside the northern development boundary of Kendal. Development in this site will cause harm to visual amenity and landscape character of Kendal. The separation between the two neighbouring settlements of Burneside and Kendal will be eroded leading to loss of integrity of the green gap. The current boundary is locally distinctive and follows the existing historical field boundaries and contours of the landscape. It forms a well-defined edge to the town. Visually, the existing boundary blends well and forms part of an attractive gateway to Kendal. Expanding the housing estate into agricultural land will form a conspicuous and obtrusive northern boundary as well as forming a ribbon development of new houses. As it is, the edge of the town balances well with the agricultural land to the west of Windermere Road, rising up to the rugged landscape of Kendal Fell. Development of green space is contrary to emerging options in the SLDC Local Development Framework

DEVELOPMENT WOULD LEAD TO LOSS OF PRIME AGRICULTURAL LAND
The land should not be developed for housing as it is heavily covenanted by the National Trust (Lane Foot Farm Covenant, 1944) and is adjacent to the National Park boundary. It would mean a loss of prime agricultural pasture land that is grazed all year. This helps to preserve the area as an important wildlife habitat for species such as curlew, lapwing and several species of bat.

THE SITE IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLOODING
Water pools extensively in a dry channel that runs through the site after periods of heavy rain (photos are available if required). There are also sustainable development issues with regard to drainage and run-off. Neighbours complain of existing problems with sewerage network and water backing up through drains. United Utilities have already expressed concern that the sewerage network is at capacity. In addition, increased runoff from a developed site will have detrimental effects on the River Kent Special Area of Conservation. Likely significant effects have already been identified in the “Appropriate Assessment Screening of South Lakeland District Council’s Allocations of Land DPD” document in December 2010.

ISSUES WITH PARKING AND TRAFFIC
Hallgarth is already a large, sprawling estate. There are daily issues with traffic flow and parking on the estate. Many houses do not have drives. Cars are currently parked on pavements, on blind bends and junctions. The estate roads are reduced to one lane in most places. More housing means, unsustainably, more cars.

ACCESS ISSUES
The Hallgarth estate suffers from poor access with only points of entry/exit from Windermere Road and Burneside Road. Both these junctions are very difficult to exit from. Significant access and junction improvements would be necessary but could create a ‘rat run’ for people not wanting to drive through town, as in effect a northern bypass.

NOISE AND LIGHT POLLUTION
More housing would cause increased noise and light pollution in what is currently a rural boundary. Unfortunately the estate is not without its social problems and we do experience anti-social behaviour, dog fouling, litter and noise. More housing would exacerbate these problems. It would be better to have green space and a recreational amenity that people could use and enjoy, safely.

SUGGESTIONS FOR USE
A more appropriate use of this space would be to continue with support for important grazing land or perhaps a horse livery. Another sustainable use would be for a ‘green’ community area such as a community orchard or allotments.

It would be great to see some positive support for the people that already live on Hallgarth. We are currently seeing cuts to our services due to the Government spending review (hospital, police, fewer school places). Our community cannot expand and support the residential development proposed while these core services are being cut. The council should not propose to make the estate bigger, bringing in more houses, more people, more cars, without seeing improvements for the current local community first. We need green recreational space, play areas, community areas, improved traffic management, allocation of parking spaces, road markings re-painted, current traffic calming measures repaired, pot holes filled, improved access to services.