Local Development Framework Consultation

Kirkby Lonsdale and Low Biggins

RN205#, RN331# and RN292#

Oppose

1 Firstly, I do not believe this further consultation was broadcast in the proper manner. Unlike the previous consultation, well publicised throughout, this was much lower key. I heard about this by chance from a neighbour, and believe this is unacceptable given the potentially enormous impact of land allocation conclusions.

2 The three blocks of land, all to the south of the A65, represent a complete break from the contiguous, integral development of Kirkby Lonsdale. Major developments on some or all of these sites would completely alter the footprint and aspect of Kirkby Lonsdale. They would represent development akin to the offensive and untramelled "ribbon" development predating planning structures.

3 The A65 represents a major boundary for Kirkby Lonsdale: its construction as a by-pass was prefaced on providing a safe routing around the town for through traffic. To carry out major developments across this boundary would be a huge step away from the logic of the current relatively traffic calmed built environment of the town.

4 The safety issues relating to an extremely busy highway driving through old and newly developed areas would be huge. It is hard to see that newly developed areas south of the A65 could reasonably be integrated with the rest of the town and its services. Tunnels and or bridges would add significantly to the cost of any development. If other urban development straddling major highways is any guide, such devices do not solve the problems of a separated sense of community. The A65 would create ghetto like conditions for developments to the south, and a much increased risk of accidents, with pedestrian victims most likely the elderly and the young.

5 Junction points such as Biggins Lane or the Booths roundabout would be absolutely lethal with the extra weight of traffic, the extra options for drivers to consider (such as extra exits on the roundabout) and a very sharp increase in the conflict between slower local traffic and faster through traffic. The volume of traffic is progressively increasing on the A65, with a high proportion of HGVs, combined with heavy holiday traffic and the normal twice daily school run pressures. To add to this mix further cross traffic and further hazard would be absurd. It is already the case that A65 through traffic takes risks with speed and overtaking on this by-pass. This is often generated by impatience with local traffic which would be much increased with further development to the south.

6 Site RN205# is a well tended sports ground belonging to QES, regularly used for sports activities, not just for rugby but for PE generally, as an alternative to the lower sites nearer school or the football field to the west. Whether or not QES current management wish to continue using the field, this land should not be taken from sporting or recreational community use. Any designation should be restricted to sporting or leisure use. Having lost one sporting site, that now being developed as Masters Field on Biggins Lane, so very recently, to lose a second site within a few hundred yards should not be acceptable.

7 Sites RN331# and RN292# are sloping sites facing the town to the north across the A65. Accordingly, they are of high visibility whose development would completely alter the persepctive of the town wither from the A65 or from the current southern edges of town. However well designed and laid out, this vista of sprawl would create a much poorer impression of the town than currently, where tourist success had been based on the well preserved old rather than the sprawling new.

8 Given the separation from Kirkby created by the A65, these sites would represent a seismic shift in the nature of the village of Low Biggins with which they would be contiguous. Biggins would cease to be a separate rural community proximate to Kirkby and become an extension of a south Kirkby sprawl. Every home in this village would be affected to a greater or lesser extent with all properties to the east of the Biggins road looking onto structures and development rather than fields and fells.

9 A development over this wide area south of the A65 would have a huge impact on the landscape and vista from the southern side of town. Footpaths running through RN205# and up to Woodend, or past Woodend Farm and along the line of woods, would be far less attractive and much less chosen for walking than now. Walkers of every sort use these pathways: many Kirkby and Biggins residents for recreation and dog-walking, as well as larger groups for organised and holiday walking. The impact of development on these sites would be significant for walking and enjoyment of the landscape.

In conclusion, the development of these sites would not be logical and not be safe. It would be bad for Kirkby Lonsdale and devastating for Biggins. The sites should be excluded altogether from the land allocation plans.