Response from Mrs Linda Williams (Individual)
1. Mrs Linda Williams (Individual) : 4 Sep 2013 16:33:00
Please add your response below, quoting the further proposed main modification reference number or relevant document title including reference to section / page / paragraph: (limit 3000 words)
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: SLDC Land Allocations Development Plan –Further main modification MM072U : Site Ref:RN193 : Land Off Union Lane Ulverston,Cumbria
I am writing to put forward my views against the proposed change of use of the above land from “agricultural land” to “land with some development potential”.
The first reason for this is that this change will then mean that development of further housing will happen there, and this will be likely to have a large impact on the existing housing nearby, and below the development because of the water run off and likely flooding. Significant surface water run off from the fields already causes flooding to part of my property, and to the property next to us, and this would be likely to increase. It is also an issue for erosion off the edges here.
Secondly, any housing development would be right on top of the ridges, and yet the Cumbrian Landscape Character Appraisal Toolkit expressly recommends avoiding siting development on prominent edges. Erosion and subsidence are already present around this area on top of the edges, and this would be further accentuated by this potential development.
Thirdly the access arrangements are also extremely questionable. In the SLDC LA Development Plan, there is no mention of the legal ownership of the end of the lane by the owners of Bayfield (myself), Foxwood and the field owner. The Bayfield owners would not be in favour of opening up this lane to a one way system, as has been discussed. The lane itself is at the top of a steep hill, where currently no winter gritting is done by CCC. Instead a small group of homeowners on Mowings Lane work together to keep this lane open as much as possible in the winter. If there was to be open access via one way system here, potentially over 50 cars could be using this narrow lane, then the snow would very quickly become compacted and icy, meaning that access would be stopped for everyone. There has also been no consideration of the steepness of the approach to the lane from Mowings Lane itself. The impact of cars from a development of possibly 40 houses would be huge on the restricted access already present in Mowings Lane and Garden Terrace.
Finally in terms of the bigger picture, it does not seem sensible to increase the likelihood of flooding in the lower town by changing the use of this land. The houses in Outcast could be affected by this, if the level of rainfall remains as high as we have recently experienced.
I am very concerned that the consultation time for this action has been set during the summer, when it is far easier for local people not to notice it is happening. I would like to hear from you to be reassured that a proper hearing will be given to all the views expressed about the proposed change in designation of this land.
I look forward to hearing from you, and I would welcome a site visit from yourself or a colleague to consider the details behind my comments
Yours sincerely,
Linda Williams
