Response from Mr Stuart Brocklebank (Individual)
1. Mr Stuart Brocklebank (Individual) : 9 May 2011 19:30:00
Settlement
Grange over Sands
Map Number
30 (1 of 4) Grange Main Proposals
Site reference number (e.g. R62) - If your comment is about a specific site you must indicate the correct site reference.
RN34
Housing
Support
Employment
Oppose
Retail
Oppose
Community uses
Oppose
Open space
Oppose
Please explain your reasons
I am writing to express our views on a few points that have been alledged about this site.
- "This area receives 120cm of rainfall in an average year"
So does every other part of Grange.
- "This area is known locally as Springbank, because springs pepper the whole hillside"
The area of site RN34 isn't known as "Springbank" it is Grange fell, and springs do not pepper the whole landscape. Our family has farmed these fields for the past 92 years and over that period have never found or seen any evidence of springs on this site or surrounding fields. Our farm is called Spring Bank Farm and over the entire holding know of just one spring directly behind the farm house. The land is very free draining and can be travelled on throughout the seasons.
-"RN34 consists of steep fields full of hidden water channels just under the surface"
The sites topography isn't steep but of a gentle gradient the same as neighbouring properties. Again, our family having worked the land for 92 years know of no hidden water channels just under the surface and over that period have never seen any evidence of such.
-"Grange Fell is along way from amenities"
Grange Fell is within half a mile of the centre of Grange and a quarter of a mile from the primary school. There is a bus stop directly adjacent to the site.
-"Almost all of the other protected open land in Grange is along the bay side, or a long way from here"
I agree because this area is a residential area. Hampsfell is less than a quarter of a mile from the site and can be seen by nearly all of the surrounding properties. This provides a natural large open space.
-"Grange Fell is the most densely populated part of Grange, many people have almost no garden"
Most residential areas are densely populated. Many houses in the area which did have gardens have been developed by the homeowners.
Grange Fell is a lovely place to live and a site of this size would fit well within the landscape providing housing for many new families without having a detrimental effect on the area. The site is available and could be delivered.
