Local Development Framework Consultation

Levens

RN291

Support in part

If there has to be development I feel that the western or lower part of this area would be the only suitable part of this site. This would save the amazing views of the valley and mountains so distinctive of the village.
To add to this, if the development did take place I feel that there should be an agreement with the landowner selling the land so that the eastern or higher part of the site should be turned into allotment land for the use of the community.

No view

Option A - Allocating sites for houses and employment in the Land Allocations document

See previous responses.

Levens

RN282

Oppose

Historically Levens Village was divided into three parts,Causeway End,Cotes and Beathwaite Green. If this development took place it would strongly link up the area of Cotes to the rest of the village as has happened in the case of Causeway End through infill over the years. This open historic landscape with buildings and areas of woodland and agricultural land is distinctive along the edges of the other paarts of the Lyth Valley.Many of these undeveloped, still natural, yet linked areas are important as wildife corridors.This site has a direct link to good wildlife areas to the north.
To build on all these limited areas creating a "solid" landscape, as has begun to happen in other parts of the village, would be a mistake in visual,cultural and conservation terms.
Also any additional regular road traffic in this area to the north end of the village would create problems.

No view

Option A - Allocating sites for houses and employment in the Land Allocations document

It seems looking at this in an overall way is fairer and more effective.

Levens

R105

Support in part

This would seem an alternative if development has to spread beyond the village.
I feel that density of housing should be kept low and that there is an opportunity to create some natural areas within the site, both grassland and woodland.Also could there be some agreement made with the seller of the land to give up some land for allotment, community use eg orchard, not necessarily part of this site.
I also feel that links to public footpaths should be established at the outset. This would avoid pedestrians having to negotiate increased amounts of traffic volume. Already this is an issue.

No view

Option A - Allocating sites for houses and employment in the Land Allocations document

Response as before.

Levens

R142

Oppose

I strongly oppose the development of this site and that it would be detrimental in several ways.As with the other sites, producing a "solid" block of housing, on the most visible part of the village from many directions, would take away the essential nature of this village on the limestone ridge. The north-western part of the area which lies alongsie the present playing fields was once an important recreational and social area of the village. Village sports were conducted here and the village football taem had a full size pitch there. This is the only level large area in the village for such activities. As the village grows, which it surely will,the need for such a site will become more important.
There is also an issue if development were to take place with increased traffic. Levens Lane is already an overwhelmed stretch of road being the main route into the village. It carries people in and out often in a rush to get to work etc. There are roadsde parking issues for school and playing fields and the road is dangerously narrow for pedestrians and traffic travelling often too fast for the conditions. Indeed this situation affects all other sites.
Historically this field, until the last development of the A590 was said to be the largest field in Westmorland and possibly still is? Another historicaland cultural landscape detail.

No view

Option A - Allocating sites for houses and employment in the Land Allocations document

As in previous response.

Levens

EN45

Oppose

At present this facility on the "Old Road" appears to have low usage. The "Old Road" is already suffering damage from increased traffic, being used as an alternative route to the busy A590 and also by the heavier nature of farm and trade traffic. This route is a well used recreational route used by walkers and is also part of a designated cycle route. It is also a very pleasant, uplifting place to be but even at present traffic levels there can be disruption to this situation,between vehicles meeting as well as other combinations of users of the road.
If usage of the proposed site increased and more vehicles, possibly larger, began to use this narrow,outdated from a load bearing point of view route,then an important social and cultural feature would lose it's identity.
Already there are large farm buildings linked to the old farmstead sites on the moss. I feel that visually any increased construction in an open area unrelated to the farmstaeds would be very intrusive.

No view

Option A - Allocating sites for houses and employment in the Land Allocations document

As in previous response