Response from Mr & Mrs Derek Grace and Isabel Thomas (Individual)
1. Mr & Mrs Derek Grace and Isabel Thomas (Individual) : 26 Apr 2017 15:56:00
Have you any other comments, including on the Proposals Document?
My wife isabel and I are writing as residents and owners of Green Acres, Milnthorpe Road, Holme. We were originally invited on the fact finding day by Cllr Brian Cooper, for the above, as our property is on the boundary line of the field behind us, owned by the Stothert family. At the time we thought we had in fact sold our property and felt somebody else more involved and resident, would be a better representative. However, unfortunately our buyer dropped out because his searches suggested a major development in the fields to the rear, in his words, “ Green Acres would be surrounded by a large housing estate”.
The field forms one of the highest points in the village and along with the field to the North, is in full and plain view as you approach the village from Milnthorpe. From what we have seen and heard, when entering the village we will be confronted with a large housing estate, which we feel is not in keeping with the rural feel and attractiveness of the village, which we have now.
We would like to suggest that any development on the higher elevations be of a low rise nature, or even form some part of the allocated green/open space, as any building on this high ground will have an overbearing effect on the four or five dwellings at this end of the village.
Aside from the aesthetic considerations, there are concerns regarding traffic movements into and out of this area. With the proposed number of dwellings, I would estimate somewhere in the order of 350 to 400 movements per day, possibly more with delivery vehicles.
For anybody travelling north say to Kendal or south to Lancaster they would probably follow Milnthorpe Road towards Burton. This would send them through one of the most constricted parts of the village, starting at Mayfield Avenue (with the possibility of a ‘rat run’ through Pear Tree Park up to North Road, again with constrictions at the primary school, or toward Burton with a blind constriction at the canal bridge.
All this increased traffic will put a strain on access around the village and with the added safety considerations, I would feel would be detrimental to the character of the village.
We do question the density of the scheme and wonder if the village has the amenities and utilities to cope with another 250 or more souls. We would ask is SLDC hell bent on creating more and more ‘dormitories’ for Kendal and Lancaster?
We gather from various people that Russell Armer are going to be the builders and that it is a done deal and that they have their plans ready for submission, which implies to us they have had conversations with SLDC? This is a little disconcerting!
Whilst we do not welcome this development, we assume it will go ahead with or without our approval, we would only ask can it be a smaller, less overbearing scheme with quality of build and space a focus, more in keeping with our current village.
We will be going along to the Parish Hall tomorrow for the drop in for the brief and will no doubt be writing again.
Thank you.
Derek Grace & Isabel Thomas
