Response from Mr Ian Lewis (Individual)
1. Mr Ian Lewis (Individual) : 5 Sep 2013 10:32:00
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Regarding the proposed development of 44 houses at the top of Union Lane. I would consider it ill judged and prompted entirely by greed.
I have lived in Stanley St for nearly 20 years. The building of the health centre increased traffic dramatically. The unfortunate Persimmon development will pretty much saturate the street’s ability to cope. This is in some part a consequence of the severely limited access to Soutergate/King St off The Gill/Stanley St. I do not foresee the demolition of The Town Mill or (more) houses in the conservation area to allow improved access. At present the council is widening the pavement on the west side of Stanley St. This will increase congestion considerably as it will prevent two cars passing each other. More traffic will be untenable and plain dangerous.
I have for twenty years taken great pleasure in the Rookery at the top of Union Lane. Together with Gill Banks, Union Lane Fields and their mature trees remain as richly diverse environments providing a wildlife corridor to the outskirts of town.
I am afraid to that I do have little faith in SLDC’s planning dept and its relationship with the environment or Ulverston’s heritage.
Prior to its demolition the old workhouse which was cynically excluded from the conservation area was a major bat roost. Some 20 or so bats would emerge each evening. No survey was undertaken, probably due to cost implications, and the bats vanished. With friends I counted 32 species of birds, including nesting Barn Owls, now long gone in the sterile environment that remains. No provision was made for wildlife by SLDC or the Bay Trust, not even a bat box. As a retired academic Historian I was also aware of important archaeological features being destroyed. There was not even a watching brief. Dressed red sandstone walls outside the footprint of the workhouse were ripped out. A substantial well, probably early mediaeval, was filled in and its massive head stone sold to an antique dealer. It was only some two years after the HC opened and under pressure from myself and other residents that you enforced the conditions of the Health Centre’s planning requirement to shield the lighting and to plant trees.
I am aware of the requirement for more housing but this MUST take account of environmental and amenity issues and do all that is required of you. You MUST be wise in this matter, honour the people and not be bowed by self interest, commercial greed or central government.
Thus I suggest that the impact of 44 more houses would be unacceptable and would merely allow a fortune to be made by the landowner at the expense of north Ulverston’s residents, large and small.
Ian Harcourt Lewis
18 Stanley St
LA12 7BS
01229580437
