Response from Mr. David Ratcliffe , (acting on behalf of residents of Natland and visitors)
1. Mr. David Ratcliffe , (acting on behalf of residents of Natland and visitors) : 17 May 2012 08:44:00
Policy/Site No.
LA1.3 Housing Allocations - R62 NATLAND WEST OF SEDGWICK RD, NATLAND
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.
We wish to register our objection to the inclusion of the
site designated as R62 within the Local Development Plan covering the
South Lakeland District as in our opinion the inclusion of this site is
unsound. Our opinion is based on the following facts and observations :ยท
a) the only road that provides access to this site, (Sedgwick Rd.) is an
unclassified one which is barely wide enough for two vehicles to pass side
by side. The amount of traffic which uses this road has increased
tremendously over the last 5 years and the recent development of a site
immediately opposite R62 has exacerbated the situation to a dangerous
level. As well as the number of vehicles using this road motorists have to
contend with a dangerous junction only a matter of a few metres north of
the current entrance to this site and a very bad, narrow bend near to the
Post Office where many elderly people park and leave their cars when going
into the Post Office / village shop. We feel that the Highways Department
of S. L. D. C. and Natland Parish Council have failed to appreciate the
dangers involved with any further development in this area. More vehicles,
coupled with the lack of convenient public transport, can only lead to there
being more chance of a serious accident.
b) since the Local Development Plan was published there have been
significant changes to both the level of bus service and the placement of
the bus stops. The recently re-sited bus stops are now at the very northern
end of the village which forces pedestrians to walk in the road round a blind
corner to get to and from them. With a further increase in traffic the
danger to pedestrians will be increased to what we believe will be an
unacceptable level
c ) as local residents we are only too well aware of the ongoing problem
with flooding which occurs on Sedgwick Road after heavy rain. Since the
development of St. Marks Fold the road can and does flood and this in turn
leads to even more problems for both pedestrians and motorists alike. Any
further development will simply put even more pressure on already
inadequate drainage
d) it appears strange to us that a site with these ongoing problems should
be included in the Development Plan and yet other sites within the village
with none of these problems are excluded. On the approach road to the
village from Kendal there is a perfectly good site adjacent to a wider and
safer road with relatively easy access and no history of flooding yet this has
been discounted. We are not aware of the reason for it being discounted.
In support of our objections we enclose a petition signed by over 200
villagers and visitors, all of whom will be extremely sad to see this field,
which was originally bought by Natland villagers for the Church of England
Children's Society, disappear under houses. In this respect we would draw
your attention to the following web site -
www. thewestmorlandgazette. co. uk/ news/ cumbria/ south lakeland/
8982707
Trusting this will be brought to the attention of the Government
Inspector, who is cordially invited to the village to see the problems at first
hand.
[Response submitted with a petition containing 204 signatories]
3.1 If your representation is seeking a change, do you consider it necessary to participate in the oral part of the examination?
YES, I wish to participate at the oral examination
