Response from Dr James Edwards (Individual)
1. Dr James Edwards (Individual) : 13 Apr 2016 13:18:00
Please make your comments in the box below and refer specifically to the reference number of each site you are commenting on.
Dear Sir/Madam,
We wish to comment on the Arnside and Silverdale AONB DPD Issues and Options Consultation Map Book - Additional Sites, March 2016 as follows:
Site B120: High Cote, High Cote Lane, Slackhead
We object to any development on this site for the following reasons:-
01 The site sits on part of the Limestone Pavement which we understand has a Limestone Pavement Order on it.
02 There will be increased traffic from the site into Beetham via Leighton Beck Road
This road is almost single lane; it has no footpaths and already can get congested as vehicles try to pass each other. It is extremely dangerous for pedestrians.
03 The higher parts of Slackhead already suffer from very low water pressure. Several incidents have been recorded with United Utilities and pressure loggers have been installed to monitor the situation. An increase in housing in this area would make this situation worse and United Utilities could have a major problem on their hands.
04 There are no facilities in Slackhead, no public transport, and no footpath down into Beetham. As such this site is not suitable for Affordable Housing.
05 Houses in this area are generally too expensive for local people. There are currently 4 properties and a plot of land on High Cote Lane and Leighton Drive that are for sale and some of which are unoccupied. This questions the need for more development if the current supply cannot be fulfilled.
06 Already Slackhead is very visible from the South and we must say it has a negative impact on the topography and relief of the woodland landscape. We are sure the Slackhead development would not have been granted in the first instance had the AONB been in existence at the time. Extending the development would only add to the problem.
07 Important woodland and wildlife habitat will be destroyed. With the increase in woodland diseases we need more than ever to protect our woods within our AONB.
09 All dwellings in Slackhead are on septic tanks as there is no mains drainage available.
Yours faithfully,
Dr James A Edwards &
Dr Katharine Parrott-Edwards
