8 responses from Mr Kenneth Gibson (Individual)
1. Mr Kenneth Gibson (Individual) : 30 Mar 2012 10:52:00
Policy/Site No.
LA1.3 Housing Allocations - All Kendal sites
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.
The DPD is not effective in that the document is not deliverable, flexible or capable of being monitored.
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 market town of Kendal like many other UK market towns has developed over many hundreds of years from a combination of commerce and the need to house workers involved in that commerce. The process may not have had a master plan but has resulted
in a unique heritage which is much admired by locals and visitors alike. It should be our
task to m!ik:e sure that this heritage is passed on, for future generations to cherish.
The process of attracting new commerce to Kendal needs to be continuous and ongoing
and we need to accommodate those workers involved in that commerce using brownfield
and other inter spaces for houses within the historically defined existing town boundaries.
Green field sites outside the already established town boundaries should not be used for
the purposes of housing or commercial development. Following this philosophy the unique character of the market town of Kendal can be preserved for all to enjoy.
2. Visual Impact
SLDC's proposals for large scale housing developments on the outer edges of the town is , unsound as it will change forever the pleasing character that the market town of Kendal I
offers to visitors and residents alike. One example is the proposal for housing development on land marked as M41KM on a raised hillside facing south east. This raised area ofland dominates the important southern entrance to Kendal from the A591 (The Lakes Southern Gateway). The impact ;· of modern housing on this land would severely detract from the unique markettown character ofKendal for both visitors and residents alike. The raised land is clearly visible from both the A6 to the south and east and the A591 to the west. The visitor's first impression is an important consideration and development on this site would adversely effect tourism in the town.
4. Motor vehicle Traffic
The traffic flow in Kendal is mainly South to North and vice versa. The current volume
of traffic raises concerns in a number of important areas:
• Air Quality The town centre air quality is adversely affected by vehicular traffic and especially particulate discharge from heavy goods vehicles traversing the town to make deliveries.
• Safety One example is that the volume of standing traffic causes extensive tailbacks on the A6 southern approach into Kendal. On occasions, the standing traffic extends to the A591 dual carriageway. This is a real road safety issue which needs to be addressed before there is a fatality.
• Journey Time The time spent in Kendal town centre traffic jams is damaging to town centre shopping conunerce and to industry based on the northern side of the town. Whilst the demise of Kendal town centre shopping is complex, one of the reasons must be ease of access and easy parking. The time required to traverse the town (around 3 0 mins at peak times) is so prohibitive that many south Kendal residents use the M6 junction 36 for journeys north to Penrith or Carlisle. This detour adds additional mileage to the alternative route of the A6 north to Shap and is environmentally not the best option.
SLDC have to some extent recognised this problem and have invested in improving cycle
ways through the town. The facilities provided for various reasons (probably poor design/planning) are under used, with cyclists preferring to continue using those roads
occupied by vehicular traffic.
The addition of 2000 houses to the Kendal area and the extra cars they will bring will only compound and exacerbate the problems listed.
SLDC have failed to adequately address the problem of traffic flow through Kendal in
their proposals for the allocation of land in South Lakeland. Therefore in this important
area, their proposals are unsound.
2. Mr Kenneth Gibson (Individual) : 30 Mar 2012 11:00:00
Policy/Site No.
LA1.6 Strategic Employment Sites - E4M KENDAL LAND AT SCROGGS WOOD, MILNTHORPE ROAD
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.
Green field sites outside the already established town boundaries should not be used for
the purposes ofhousing or commercial development. Following this philosophy the unique character of the market town of Kendal can be preserved for all to enjoy.
3. Mr Kenneth Gibson (Individual) : 30 Mar 2012 11:02:00
Policy/Site No.
LA1.7 Business and Science Park Sites - M2M-mod KENDAL LAND EAST OF BURTON ROAD
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.
Green field sites outside the already established town boundaries should not be used for
the purposes ofhousing or commercial development. Following this philosophy the unique character of the market town of Kendal can be preserved for all to enjoy.
4. Mr Kenneth Gibson (Individual) : 30 Mar 2012 11:18:00
Policy/Site No.
LA1.8 Local Employment Allocations - E31M KENDAL LAND SOUTH OF K SHOES, NATLAND ROAD
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.
Green field sites outside the already established town boundaries should not be used for
the purposes ofhousing or commercial development. Following this philosophy the unique character of the market town of Kendal can be preserved for all to enjoy.
5. Mr Kenneth Gibson (Individual) : 30 Mar 2012 11:52:00
Policy/Site No.
LA1.8 Local Employment Allocations - E23K# KENDAL LAND NORTH OF MEADOWBANK BUSINESS PARK
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.
Green field sites outside the already established town boundaries should not be used for
the purposes ofhousing or commercial development. Following this philosophy the unique character of the market town of Kendal can be preserved for all to enjoy.
6. Mr Kenneth Gibson (Individual) : 30 Mar 2012 12:24:00
Paragraph No.
1.10
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.
1. Consultation
SLDC have widely publicised the consultation process concerning plans for the allocation ofland in South Lakeland. They have quoted in excess of 4000 respondents who have made comments concerning their plans. Many of the submissions have been published and from the samples we have checked it would appear that the vast majority of the local population are opposed to the plans as published. Further evidence of this opposition is now emerging with petitions calling for SLDC to hold a referendum on their proposals. It would appear that SLDC have engaged in the consultation process to satisfy the 'due process of consultation' but have simply ignored the vast majority of commentssubmitted. This brings into question the soundness of the consultation process which now can only be satisfied by holding a referendum concerning the acceptance ofthe Proposals for Allocations of Land in South Lakeland.
7. Mr Kenneth Gibson (Individual) : 30 Mar 2012 12:26:00
Paragraph No.
0.0 Whole Document
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.
3. Low Cost Housing.
SLDC have effectively mounted a crusade concerning the need for low cost housing in South Lakeland. The cost of housing in the SLDC district is little above the national average however the average wage for South Lakeland workers is significantly less than the national average. The problem is therefore not the cost of housing but the low wage
economy.
In the South Lakeland area there is a severe shortage of high technology jobs. To obtain a
reasonable salary many of our qualified young people are forced to move outside the area
to pursue a career or commute. If we are to retain a balanced community, South Lakeland
needs to attract jobs to the area where the salary is above the national average. Building
low cost houses with high levels of dependency does not address this issue but rather
tends to stifle the positive effects of enterprise and investment.
SLDC have failed to address adequately the problem of attracting higher paid jobs to the
district. They have instead concentrated their efforts on the provision oflow cost housing.
SLDC have failed in this most important area of economic development and their proposals and arguments concerning the long term need for low cost housing are
fundamentally flawed and are unsound.
8. Mr Kenneth Gibson (Individual) : 20 Apr 2012 11:33:00
Policy/Site No.
LA1.4 - Kendal Sites
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.
Green field sites outside the already established town boundaries should not be used for
the purposes of housing or commercial development. Following this philosophy the unique character of the market town of Kendal can be preserved for all to enjoy.
