Response from Mr Peter Tanfield (Individual)
1. Mr Peter Tanfield (Individual) : 17 Apr 2012 11:32:00
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 - RN213-mod BRIGSTEER LAND OPPOSITE THE WHEATSHEAF
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.
Site RN213 should be rejected.
Affordable housing should be prioritised to low-income families living in poor accommodation. It should be built near places of work with good facilities. There is almost no work in Brigsteer and all services, bar a village hall, are only available in Kendal. As there is only one bus a week, a resident family requires two cars. I understand that Brigsteer was considered as suitable because it is within 5 miles of services, taking no account of lack of transport, hills and winding lanes. Residents of Brigsteer recognise the high costs associated with living there.
The survey by the Cumbria Rural Housing Trust claims to have identified 25 people in 17 households requiring affordable accommodation in the parish of Helsington. (Please note that RN213 is the most remote position in the parish from Kendal.)This means the 17 households include a minimum of 9 single people. When residents replied to the survey there was an assumption that the affordable accommodation would be available for purchase, not just for rental. The survey also shows that 9 people travel more than 50 miles to work, so why supply them with houses in Brigsteer?
Brigsteer is now the only small village retained in the plan. Adoption of site RN213 is justified on the support of the Helsington Community Land Trust (HCLT) and the Parish Council. The HCLT draws much of its own support by people living outside of the parish. A majority of Brigsteer residents have expressed their opposition to use of the site by means of a survey and by a vote at a recent Parish Council general meeting. The parish council is currently controlled by 5 to 2 by directors of the HCLT and refuses to recognise the opinion of the majority of residents. Therefore, the SLDC exception policy for the Brigsteer site is falsely based.
3.2 If you wish to participate in the oral part of the examination, please outline why you consider this to be necessary.
The background to my change request is complex. I expect that the composition of the Helsington Parish Council will radically change at the imminent election. I would like the opportunity to explain the Brigsteer situation to the Inspector.
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