Response from Mr Roger Spooner (Individual)
1. Mr Roger Spooner (Individual) : 5 Jan 2016 09:58:00
Discussion Paper section
5. Policy Issues
Please make your comments below on the section you have selected. Where appropriate, make reference to the paragraph number you are referring to, your preferred option, the question number asked in the Discussion Paper and the reference number of the site you are commenting on.
Question 17 In my view there is more than adequate provision of caravan sites in the AONB and no need for the extension of existing ones.
Question 27 (Comments on proposed development sites):
S44 Hawes Villa This site is adjacent to a nature reserve and is already heavily developed with static caravans, trailer caravans and motorcaravans on the site. There is probably considerable "agricultural" run-off from the keeping of pigs and horses into Hawes Water. There is minimal access to the area.
S52 Hawes Villa This is relatively unspoilt as yet and would be better designated as open space as it adjoins the nature reserve area. There is minimal access.
S98 16 Buoys This small site is one of the finest botanical sites in the AONB, the idea of its being "developed" is horrifying! Apart from anything else it is home to Spring Sandwort which is nationally scarce. I'm surprised it isn't designated an SSSI.
S50 St Johns Ave The houses of St Johns Ave/Hazelwood are already just visible on the skyline from afar (You can see them from the Howgills) - extending the housing down the hillside from St Johns Ave would affect the aspect of the whole area. It would be better designated as open space. There is also limited access, so more road building would be required if it were developed.
A2 Far Arnside This is a rock and shingle shoreline, unsuitable for any sort of development.
A97 Middlebarrow Quarry This is just starting to recover from its industrial past. The ponds have been colonised by newts, there is a developing cover of birch trees and peregrine falcons may often be seen. Together with the adjacent Middlebarrow Wood it would make a good open area, or indeed nature reserve. There is very poor access and a railway crossing is necessary.
A7 High Close This is surrounded on all sides by green areas, development would completely spoil its aspect.
B31Slack Head road. The existing caravan site is aleady something of an eyesore, developing the adjacent area would destroy extensive wooodlad and ruin the aspect from the other side of the valley.
B73 Marble Quarry - This appears to be the Deepdale landfill area which is hardly suitable for any sort of development - you can still smell the gases of decomposition coming up from below! Besides which it is now well colonised with vegetation and starting to recover from past ill treatment.
