Response from H, C, J L & A Howson (Individual)
1. H, C, J L & A Howson (Individual) : 27 Apr 2012 13:47:00
Policy/Site No.
LA1.3 Housing Allocations - R121M-mod KENDAL EAST OF CASTLE GREEN 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.
I wish to register my objections to the council's proposals for residential development of the above parcel of land which I consider to be unsound based on the level and quality of work undertaken to establish its suitability.
• At the public meeting on 3 March 2011 it was clear from the comments of SLDC
Development Strategy Manager that very little detailed preparation had been carried out into the suitability the site. In answer to virtually every concern his reply was 'We've looked into this and don't see it as a problem'. No detailed or factual explanations were offered and it appeared that any green space was considered suitable and issues would be tackled as they arose.
• In 1997 a Planning Inspector rejected an appeal to develop R56 and in 2006 SLDC Local plan stating that 'development of higher hillsides further east (of R56) would be unduly prominent' (Section 6.3 Visual Amenity) but this time has chosen to ignore these findings without explanation.
Nothing has changed with the sites to make them less prominent.
• In recent years we have seen an increase in the amount and severity of rainfall in the area
and to allow any building on the land between Sedbergh Rd and Castle Green Lane (R121M) would increase the risk of flooding in the whole area (including the effectiveness of the Stock Beck flood alleviation scheme) by reducing the amount of natural surface run off. Rainfall predictions for the next 70 years or so show a marked increase. For the council to ignore these facts figures again demonstrates the unreliability of the proposals.
• I am also concerned about the failure of the council to carry out any feasibility studies into
the issue of flooding. In recent years we have experienced severe flooding of the lower part of our garden from the two streams which flow through the field immediately behind our home in field R56. One of the streams flows through R121M into a culvert which runs along the back of houses on Oak Tree Road, through the corner of our garden and discharges into R56. The council is aware of the problems we have experienced.
The preferred access to the site is from the junction of Castle Green Lane and Oak Tree
Road. Oak Tree Road rises immediately and has a blind bend within a few yards of the junction and, as the road progresses it narrows and there is much on street parking. Cumbria County Council has yet to survey the road and SLDC clearly does not see any potential safety issues nor has concerns with increased pollution.
• SLDC in agreement with Kendal Town Council commissioned an independent Landscape Character Assessment (Galpin) to be carried out but SLDC refused to accept the findings which found that of the 19 possible development sites in Kendal R121M was most sensitive in landscape terms and with low capacity for development.
• Likewise a similar report from the Friends of the Lake District was also not accepted.
• SLDC will not consider objections from residents who are affected by proposed
developments- so much for community involvement. Local people's concerns are just a valid as anybody else's including those of land owners and developers. Approximately 400 residents were against the development yet there were only two in favour- the owner of the land and a developer.
• An established colony of great crested newts exists in the pond in field R677K and is known to have also established themselves in Oak Tree Road and Rowan Tree Crescent .. Whist I can't claim they have also established themselves in my garden I have found one which proves they are moving away from the pond and could be colonising a much larger area.
I trust my concerns will be passed onto the inspector appointed to review Land Allocations
