Local Development Framework Consultation

Dear Sir/Madam,

I wish to object to any proposal to include two fields beyond the head of Union Lane, Ulverston within the development plan boundary. My concerns are as follows;

- any additional housing ( above and beyond that already agreed ) would create safety issues given the increased volume of traffic that would inevitably result. Union Lane is relatively narrow ( even after the latest widening ) and exiting on to Stanley Street and then to Soutergate via the already busy Garden Terrace / Soutergate junction in order to access the town and beyond is fraught with potential difficulties.

- Gillbanks is a green space within close proximity to the Town Centre. It should be cherished and preserved and I feel that development of the two fields for housing would adversely affect this valuable resource.

- building more houses in this area, especially in the two fields, might well result in drainage issues further down the water course as the rain water falls upon the tarmac etc and drops down towards Gillbanks and underneath the town. Better to let the rainwater naturally seep through the fields as nature intended.

Any subsequent proposal to exit the land via Mowings Lane ( not currently in writing but widely rumoured as a possibility ) would be vehemently opposed by me for the following reasons;
* the single track top of Mowings Lane and the track that leads off it are currently designated as Public Footpaths. As such they are well used by the public and dog walkers alike;
* the junction of the public footpaths adjoins my land. It is a blind right angled junction which in itself creates safety issues. Within my land but overhanging this junction is an ash tree of considerable antiquity. It is registered with the Woodland Trust and must be protected and preserved for the future;
* the track and lane are too narrow to cater for additional traffic;
* I have safety concerns given the extent of the use of these public footpaths and any additional vehicular traffic that might ensue;
* traffic exiting via Mowings Lane would need to access Soutergate either via the junction of Mowings Lane with Soutergate ( a blind pullout onto a busy road, having already crossed Old Hall Road, another blind pullout. These present very real safety concerns. Alternatively access to Soutergate would be via the Garden Terrace junction with Soutergate - an already very busy junction given the recent building of the Health Centre on Stanley Street.
* mature hedges border these public footpaths and they are a haven for a great diversity of wildlife.

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I would be grateful if you were to keep me informed of developments.

Yours sincerely.

Patrick Thomas