2 responses from Mrs Kathryn Hooker (Individual)
1. Mrs Kathryn Hooker (Individual) : 27 Apr 2012 13:53:00
Before completing this online representation please tick the box to show you have read the 'Guidance Notes for Making a Representation'
I have read the guidance notes
Policy/Site No.
LA1.3 Housing Allocations - R121M-mod KENDAL EAST OF CASTLE GREEN ROAD
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 Land Allocations Document (DPD) is not within the Local Development Scheme and the key stages have not been followed
The DPD has not had regard to the Sustainable Community Strategy
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 am writing to object to the allocation of land for housing between Castle Green Road and
Sedbergh Road in the Land Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD).
In my view the allocation of this land for housing means that South Lakeland District
Councils' Land allocation is not legally compliant. This is because it goes against the
Core Strategy. It is noted that the South Lakeland Local Development Framework- Core
Strategy Preferred Options in suggesting possible 'alternative directions of growth for
Kendal' figure 20 did not identify the Castle Green Lane/Sedbergh Road area as a
potential area for expansion.
Further Core Strategy Policy CS8.2 (Protection and Enhancement of Landscape and
Settlement Character) states that proposals for development should be informed by, and
be sympathetic to, the distinctive character landscape types identified in relevant
settlement studies and local evidence, and should demonstrate that their location, scale,
design and materials will protect, conserve and, where possible, enhance the special
qualities and local distinctiveness of the area ... Site R121M-Mod is a visually prominent
site, and can be seen from western parts of Kendal, such as Queens Road. The site
strongly contributes to the landscape setting of the town. As such any development of this
site will undermine the landscape character of the area. Fundamentally, highway access
to this site has yet to be considered and agreed. Access from Castle Green Lane and any
associated traffic management scheme (likely to be traffic lights or mini roundabout on the
junction or similar), will lead to degradation of the visual amenity of the area. Specifically
the rural feel and transition from the town to countryside associated with this part of Kendal
will be lost. Access from Oak Tree Road would not be appropriate because of the width,
and steep access of the road from Castle Green Lane. It is noted that the Core Strategy
did, however, identify other much less visible locations around the edge of the town, as
possible areas for expansion.
In my view the DPD is not sound because 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. Kendal Town Council commissioned Galpin
Landscape Architects to undertake a Kendal Local Level Landscape Character
Assessment ("LCA"). The LCA defines the character and potential significance of the
open spaces being promoted through the DPD on the basis of their "functionality". The
LCA concludes that this site, R 121M - Mod, is of medium/high sensitivity due to its
biodiversity and rural environment, and that it has limited scope for development. I am
dismayed that SLOG have chosen to ignore the findings of the Gilpin report in putting
together the DPD, and I am not aware of SLOG having undertaken any detailed landscape
assessment themselves. The lack of a detailed landscape assessment is contrary to
SLOG's own Core Strategy policy CS8.2.
This site was taken out of the last Local Plan, in 1997, on landscape grounds. It was also
considered by the County's Landscape and Countryside Officer, in 2000, as being of
similar character to land adjacent within the County landscape character designation, and
suggested that this land in question should be included within this designation. Whilst this
is some time ago, the demand for housing has increased, but the site has not changed in
character, and its importance in landscape terms to the visual envelope of Kendal has not
diminished.
Development of R121M- Mod will cause a great deal of landscape harm which is not
outweighed by the need for development of this site. As such Site R 121M-Mod should be
taken out of the DPD. Due weight needs to be given to maintaining the environmental
quality, particularly the landscape character of the town, as it is this that makes Kendal
such a special and attractive place to live and work, and upon which its continued
economic prosperity depends.
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
2. Mrs Kathryn Hooker (Individual) : 27 Apr 2012 13:56:00
Before completing this online representation please tick the box to show you have read the 'Guidance Notes for Making a Representation'
I have read the guidance notes
Policy/Site No.
LA2.3 Land East of Castle Green Road
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 Land Allocations Document (DPD) is not within the Local Development Scheme and the key stages have not been followed
The DPD has not had regard to the Sustainable Community Strategy
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 am writing to object to the allocation of land for housing between Castle Green Road and
Sedbergh Road in the Land Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD).
In my view the allocation of this land for housing means that South Lakeland District
Councils' Land allocation is not legally compliant. This is because it goes against the
Core Strategy. It is noted that the South Lakeland Local Development Framework- Core
Strategy Preferred Options in suggesting possible 'alternative directions of growth for
Kendal' figure 20 did not identify the Castle Green Lane/Sedbergh Road area as a
potential area for expansion.
Further Core Strategy Policy CS8.2 (Protection and Enhancement of Landscape and
Settlement Character) states that proposals for development should be informed by, and
be sympathetic to, the distinctive character landscape types identified in relevant
settlement studies and local evidence, and should demonstrate that their location, scale,
design and materials will protect, conserve and, where possible, enhance the special
qualities and local distinctiveness of the area ... Site R121M-Mod is a visually prominent
site, and can be seen from western parts of Kendal, such as Queens Road. The site
strongly contributes to the landscape setting of the town. As such any development of this
site will undermine the landscape character of the area. Fundamentally, highway access
to this site has yet to be considered and agreed. Access from Castle Green Lane and any
associated traffic management scheme (likely to be traffic lights or mini roundabout on the
junction or similar), will lead to degradation of the visual amenity of the area. Specifically
the rural feel and transition from the town to countryside associated with this part of Kendal
will be lost. Access from Oak Tree Road would not be appropriate because of the width,
and steep access of the road from Castle Green Lane. It is noted that the Core Strategy
did, however, identify other much less visible locations around the edge of the town, as
possible areas for expansion.
In my view the DPD is not sound because 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. Kendal Town Council commissioned Galpin
Landscape Architects to undertake a Kendal Local Level Landscape Character
Assessment ("LCA"). The LCA defines the character and potential significance of the
open spaces being promoted through the DPD on the basis of their "functionality". The
LCA concludes that this site, R 121M - Mod, is of medium/high sensitivity due to its
biodiversity and rural environment, and that it has limited scope for development. I am
dismayed that SLOG have chosen to ignore the findings of the Gilpin report in putting
together the DPD, and I am not aware of SLOG having undertaken any detailed landscape
assessment themselves. The lack of a detailed landscape assessment is contrary to
SLOG's own Core Strategy policy CS8.2.
This site was taken out of the last Local Plan, in 1997, on landscape grounds. It was also
considered by the County's Landscape and Countryside Officer, in 2000, as being of
similar character to land adjacent within the County landscape character designation, and
suggested that this land in question should be included within this designation. Whilst this
is some time ago, the demand for housing has increased, but the site has not changed in
character, and its importance in landscape terms to the visual envelope of Kendal has not
diminished.
Development of R121M- Mod will cause a great deal of landscape harm which is not
outweighed by the need for development of this site. As such Site R 121M-Mod should be
taken out of the DPD. Due weight needs to be given to maintaining the environmental
quality, particularly the landscape character of the town, as it is this that makes Kendal
such a special and attractive place to live and work, and upon which its continued
economic prosperity depends.
