Response from Mr Phil Doherty (Individual)
1. Mr Phil Doherty (Individual) : 16 Apr 2012 16:20:00
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I have read the guidance notes
Policy/Site No.
LA1.3 Housing Allocations - All Ulverston sites
1.1 Do you consider that the South Lakeland District Council Land Allocations DPD is legally compliant?
No
1.2 If NO please identify which test of legal compliance your representation relates to by selecting the relevant option(s) below and completing section 1.3.
The processes of community involvement in developing the DPD are not in general accordance of the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)
1.3 Please give details of the change(s) you consider necessary to make the South Lakeland District Council Land Allocations DPD legally compliant, having regard to the test you have identified at question 1.2 above.
It would be helpful if you could state your proposed change to the DPD and the reasons why you think it is necessary.
1.There have been various consultation exercises in Ulverston and the community response to the large proposed expansion of Ulverston by 1200 homes has been universally negative. There has been no attempt to take account of the views of the community and the consultation has just been a box ticking exercise. They have come but they were not listening.
2. The proposals for for Ulverston involve a population increase of 22-25% and such a large change in the size and character of the town should have had the broad support of the population of the town .
2.1 Do you consider that the South Lakeland District Council Land Allocations DPD is sound?
No
2.2 If NO please identify which test of soundness your representation relates to by selecting the relevant option(s) below and completing section 2.3.
The DPD is not justified in that it is not founded on a robust and credible evidence base and/or is not considered the most appropriate strategy when considered against the reasonable alternatives.
2.3 Please give details of the change(s) you consider necessary to make the South Lakeland District Council Land Allocations DPD sound, having regard to the test you have identified at question 2.2 above.
It would be helpful if you could state your proposed change to the DPD and the reasons why you think it is necessary.
The Council think Ulverston needs 1200 extra homes (22% increase assuming 5500 existing). The Council have not demonstrated why so many extra homes are needed in the town .
1. To support 1200 home we will need some 1800-2000 extra jobs in Ulverston and nothing approaching this is projected. Even though the largest employer Glaxo is proposing to increase employment in the future the numbers employed there will not reach half the numbers that Glaxo employed 15 or 20 years ago so this is no justification.
2. The SLDC must be assuming people will commute from Ulverston. People in Ulverston do not commute to other areas of South Lakeland due to the distances and poor roads. They either work in Ulverston or commute to Barrow -outside the South Lakeland area. The SLDC plan to build on greenfield sites in Ulverston so that people who work in Barrow can move to Ulverston and commute . This in turn will prevent the many brownfield sites around Barrow being developed and lead to more car use and the attendant pollution and congestion issues . The policy is therefore not based on principles of sustainability and green development.
3. For a population increase of this size it is clear that Ulverston will need another Infant/Junior school and the existing secondary school will have to be expanded. No land seems to have been set aside for this and this is a major failing.
I propose that the population and employment data suggest that Ulverston only needs a limited number of extra houses over the next 15 years-about 200. The policy should only put new housing where employment suggests it is needed. Commuting large distances should not be encouraged by development.
I also propose that as Ulverston is part of the Barrow travel to work area the housing needs of the Furness area should be jointly assesed by SLDC and the council in Barrow.
3.1 If your representation is seeking a change, do you consider it necessary to participate in the oral part of the examination?
NO, I do not wish to participate at the oral examination
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