Response from Mr Cameron Clarke, Ben Cunliffe Architects
1. Mr Cameron Clarke, Ben Cunliffe Architects : 17 May 2012 17:03:00
A typed or handwritten document was submitted. This has been scanned and can be downloaded below:
Policy/Site No.
LA1.3 Housing Allocations - Site Omission
If you have selected a ‘Site omission’ please enter the site reference or location and relevant policy below
Site omission - western portion of ON33 Cartmel
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.
Statement of Representation
Site:
We have been appointed by a local Cartmel based client to design a high quality but
modest development of 4 properties on an accessible site located near the middle of
the village.
The site is currently unoccupied, facing onto Priest Lane and is flanked by properties
on both sites.
It is referenced as the west half of site ON33 on the Land Allocations Development
Plan Document: Sites under consideration. While not currently proposed to be a site
of residential development, we feel that our scheme would be suitable for such
development.
Scale:
We propose a modest development of 4 high quality dwellings. These will infill the
site, connecting together the string of existing properties that run along Priest Lane.
All 4 properties will be very much in keeping with the scale of the surrounding
residential buildings, and one of the four will be a smaller cottage.
Context + Accessibility:
The development will match the local design typology of Georgian town houses and
older cottages. The proposed is comprised of 4 distinct designs with the intention
that the scheme merges seamlessly with the historic fabric of the village. This will be
ensured through highly researched, high quality design and construction. Upon
completion it is intended that they would be indistinguishable from original period
properties, while being constructed to high modern environmental standards.
It is the desire of both us and our client that this will be a modest but positive
contribution to the village. While not going a huge way to meet the needs of local
housing at volume, the scheme makes best use of available land within the fabric of
the village centre.
Placed within the village, the amenities that Cartmel offers would be accessible by
foot from the scheme. Of critical importance to elderly residents, the site’s location
will cut down on short car journeys that would be necessary from developments
further from the village centre. A much greater sense of connection to village life will
be attainable for the residents.
The site benefits from being on a small pocket of land that is not at risk from fluvial
flooding, making it ideal for the small scale residential development that we
propose. Indeed, the close proximity of the flood plane ensures that any
development will be very limited, hence our desire to generate a compact proposal.
With all 4 properties built right unto Priest Lane (as is in keeping with the rest of the
village) the green open space to their rear will be preserved, preventing lower
quality developments from eating up this land.
Provision for car parking is very limited in Cartmel and the narrow medieval streets
are not suited for the large volume of traffic they experience, nor should they be.
Parking for all 4 properties will be provided via direct access from the street to the
rear of the houses, meaning that there will be no need for on street parking.
We hope that this proposed scheme, while not single headedly solving the housing
problem in the village, provides a considered and respectful addition to the village
fabric. By making use of this infill site, the proposed scheme can contribute towards
housing stock while not expanding outwards from the village, maintaining the close
community environment and aesthetic that makes Cartmel such an attractive place
to live, work and visit.
[to be read in conjunction with attached file detailing maps and images]
