Response from Revd and Mrs Martin & Elspeth Jayne (Individual)
1. Revd and Mrs Martin & Elspeth Jayne (Individual) : 17 Apr 2012 00:20:00
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I have read the guidance notes
Policy/Site No.
LA1.3 Housing Allocations - R108M OXENHOLME LAND S OF FELL CLOSE
1.1 Do you consider that the South Lakeland District Council Land Allocations DPD is legally compliant?
Yes
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.
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.
I propose the removal of the site from the DPD as the LPA has not demonstrated that its allocation complies with its policies with regard to Landscape and Settlement Character. Observation of the site will show that its predominant feature is that it is the side and crest of a drumlin. In addition the whole of the site is allocated for development and yet the detailed reference is for development on only part of the site, The details are left to planning application stage. This is unsound in that the site is expected to contribute over 60 dwellings towards the district target yet an unspecified number may be "shaved off" at application stage. This ambiguity is unsound. The Cumbria Landscape Character Guidance and Toolkit is an excellent broad survey of the geography of part of the county and its general principles are in the main good, but there is no demonstration for this particular site that the toolkit has been soundly applied. Guidance on P92 of the toolkit has reference to areas of drumlins such as this, inter alia, as "Village expansion, barn conversions, and sporadic development that don’t re?ect the local vernacular or traditional siting of development at the foot of the drumlins could weaken local identity." Furthermore consideration should be given to designating the land as a green gap reinforcing that to the west of the railway line bordering on Natland since in the words of policy CS8.2 since the Green Gap would
"• Contribute to maintaining a settlement’s identity, landscape setting and character;
• Comprise predominantly open land maintaining an ‘open’ aspect; "
The Council's view that a green gap function is solely to prevent coalescence as stated in its consideration of my earlier objection is an unsound and partial reading of its own policy. "The Council considers that the land does or does not function as
a green gap in context of Adopted Core Strategy Policy CS8.2. It is considered development in this location would not result in the coalescence of Oxenholme and Natland. " In light of this statement the green gap between the railway line and Natland is superfluous since the railway line itself prevents coalescence more effectively than any landscape designation since there are no crossings and at this point it is partially embanked. The Council fails to refer to the role of the green gap as maintaining settlement character.
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
3.2 If you wish to participate in the oral part of the examination, please outline why you consider this to be necessary.
I will then be satisfied that proper consideration has been given to the inclusion or exclusion of this site from the DPD
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