Local Development Framework Consultation

SLDC LAND ALLOCATIONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN – FURTHER MAIN MODIFICATION MM072U
SITE REF: RN193 LAND OFF UNION LANE, ULVERSTON, CUMBRIA


Whilst if must be agreed that new housing in Ulversteon for people who already live here. This area is not the place to put them. An arial view may suggest to the naive that it could be used but there is a very big BUT

The proposed area of land is isolated from good quality roads with safe clearances, freedom of steep slopes and good visibility in all directions.

Road Slopes
All approaches are fraught with problems arising from the site being high up and is situated amongst narrow old roads built at a time when few people moved along them at speeds of a walking horse. In fact only a horse could walk up a slopes that are impossible in compacted snow to all but the most modern motor car. I live near the steepest section of Union Lane and at every suggestion of snow I make a point of shovelling and sweeping the snow from the surface before any vehicles get a chance to compact it and form ice that can not be driven up over. With the increase severity of winters and the unlikelihood of efficient gritters being available because of county cut backs any road with a steep slope off the main routes of the town has a major problem.
old roads with steep gradients only kept open by removing snow before it becomes compacted

Congested road junctions with limited visibility and a steep descent have an unacceptably high probability of serious accidents.

The Union Lane, Stanley street junction is such a junction with little to no visibility at very short notice when approaching from the Gill , up Stanley street and turning into Union lane: only to be faced with a car descending at speed (30 mph) and children from the proposed new houses on the way to Mill Dam park ( note the children's play area for the new houses will be at Mill Dam if recent conditions for Hoad view are followed )or elderly adults from the Mill Dam sheltered housing coming into town.

Another is the cluster of roads surrounding the Kings Arms that are and will become increasingly dangerous with the increased traffic use from a further 70 houses up Union Lane. Starting at Mill Street the road can carry only one car in either direction. Added to this, the route to be taken on foot is hazardous with narrow footpaths, having to switch from one side of the road to another. As cars try to emerge onto Kings St cars frequently narrowly avoid accidents from traffic descending Soutergate at speed on the wrong side of the road cutting the corner when no traffic approaches from fountain street but unaware that emerging cars confront them round the corner at Mill Street.
This old collection of streets can never be seen as suitable for a substantial increase of some 120 cars from what will be a total of 70 new homes on the proposed Union Lane development. Far in excess of the 80 cars accessing the Health Centre and the potential for even more cars when The Buildings of Gill Rise come back into use.


Gill Banks is precious to the town for its trees, stream, wildlife and escape from the built up area. Loss of tranquility and affect on wild life along Gill Banks caused by the proximity of the new houses. This will cause visual impact of houses and reflective windows, the sound from people with sound equipment, the shout of arguing families and noisy children, the light pollution in the evening. This is to a very highly valued walk used many thousands times a year by Ulverston people seeking a stroll to recharge flat emotional batteries in an increasingly fractious world.

Removal of adsorbent land and replacement with asphalt will increase the chances of flooding in other parts of town already prone to flooding at a time when the country is experiencing an increased number of flash rain storms carrying unprecedented amounts of rain in a shot time. This will not be dealt with even by the tanks provided my Persimmons for this eventuality.