Local Development Framework Consultation

Barbon

RN279

Oppose

Barbon Parish Councillors considered site RN279 between Barnrigg and Watery Lane which has been put forward by the landowner of the site for potential development as housing at a Council Meeting held on 22nd August 2011. Councillors also noted the 8 responses that had been received from residents in connection with this matter, all of which oppose this possible development. It was noted that this site had originally been designated for housing in 1970 but that a Planning Inspector’s Report from 1986 had suggested a development boundary be drawn behind the final 3 properties on Barnrigg which have all since been built and that this area of land (RN279) was currently designated as agricultural land. The lack of suitable access to the site was also regarded as an issue.

A questionnaire was sent to all households in September 2010 which included a section asking for residents views about possible future housing developments. Responses were received from 84% of households in the village and whilst 64% of responses agreed or strongly agreed that a number of low cost houses to accomodate local young people and families should be built only 22% were in favour of these being built outside the village (site RN279 is regarded as being such an "outside the village" site). There are a number of more suitable infill sites in the gaps between houses for development elsewhere in the village. Note that this questionnaire resulted in a Parish Plan that was published in March 2011.

In addition, the Housing Needs Survey carried out in Autumn 2010 by Cumbria Rural Housing Trust and published in May 2011 only identified a need for 2 affordable houses during the next 5 years.

At the end of the discussion, four Councillors voted to oppose this possible development with none in favour - one Councillor, having declared an interest, abstained from the vote (NB Barbon Parish Council has five Councillors so all were present at the Council meeting).

Oppose

A longer term view needs to be taken with a plan of this type - a plan that covers the period up to 2025 is therefore to be preferred over a plan that only covers the period to 2020

Option B - Communities and/or developers bringing forward sites for housing and employment for consideration under relevant Core Strategy policies, through neighbourhood plans and/or other local initiatives

For a small community like Barbon with only 126 houses and around 250 residents new housing development is required to meet local needs rather than be imposed through a Land Allocations process. The latter is only suitable for much larger existing communities.