Local Development Framework Consultation

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please register my extremely strong objections to any development of Union Lane Fields.

You will be aware that the South Lakeland Local Development Framework Land Allocations Development Plan of 2012 described the fields as “poor in relation to air quality and flood risk”. Building on the fields would therefore, of course, increase the risk of flooding in more low-lying areas of the town, which - not coincidentally – house families in homes worth a great deal less than any which might be built on Union Lane Fields!

The deleterious effects of any building overlooking such a beautiful green space as Gill Banks can not be overstated. This is an essential place for people to jog, play, walk dogs or just recharge their batteries. The sights, sounds and smells of nature here are what makes Ulverston such a pleasant place to live. More houses near Gill Banks would spoil the town - for newcomers as well as those already living here.

Any further disruption to wildlife in the immediate area of Union Lane Fields would be disastrous. They have suffered enough already, for instance from the desertification of the former Stanley Street Hospital - which once was home to several species of owls, among other wildlife, and where only a few exotic grasses now grow - from gravelling over the lane from Stanley Street to the back of the Old Friends – which, of course, can now support no wildlife at all - from the new flats built on the former overgrown and wildlife-rich yard at Harrison's in Stanley Street – flats, incidentally, which have still not been sold and seem to be used only intermittently as holiday or other short-term lets - from the increasing destruction of gardens to create car ports – including, again, on the lane to the Friends back yard - all of which is steadily destroying the few islands of wildlife habitat left. Building on the fields would mean “loss of amenity” not just for me, but for everyone else, including future generations.

The traffic situation is already appalling on Stanley Street, especially at the junction with Union Lane, which is dangerous and will continue to be so after the minimal “widening” is completed.
Since the Stanley Street medical centre was opened, traffic has increased dramatically. The centre's car park is usually almost full, presumable mostly with centre staff cars, as it is virtually empty at night, when it is sometimes possible to park on Stanley Street itself. During the day, it seems patients find it easier to park on the street than on the crowded car park, so no spaces are usually available. The restriction limiting parking to an hour if not a resident has not helped a great deal either, as patients' appointments usually do not last that long.

My house is directly opposite Union Lane. The 25 houses now being built at Hoad View will inevitably mean extra traffic slowing then accelerating away at that junction (with or without a mini roundabout). This will increase both noise and atmospheric pollution – right outside my windows. Cars from an extra 44 homes would make the situation dangerous and unhealthy for all nearby residents. It would be completely unacceptable.

Finally, I must strongly object that the inclusion in the plan of these fields has been suggested at such short notice and with no publicity. This hardly amounts to consultation.

Yours faithfully,


Harry Brunskill