Response from Ms Christine Herbert (Individual)
1. Ms Christine Herbert (Individual) : 24 May 2017 10:24:00
Have we identified the right key issues for this site? Are there any we have missed? What key aspects would you like to see delivered on the site? What do you value?
Affordable homes for local people and families are important - properties in this area are expensive.
There should be some homes designed specifically for those with limited mobility, including wider doorways for wheelchair access and a good-sized wetroom, again with those with restricted mobility in mind.
What do you think the overall vision for the site should be?
A major problem on Pear Tree Park and Mayfield Avenue is that home-owners persist in parking on the road, rather than in their parking space(s). I know that every home on the Pear Tree/Mayfield development has at least one allocated parking space and most have two; it seems that some people just don't want to walk the few extra yards to/from their off-road space. Therefore I suggest that parking spaces are right next to their homes.
Road access to the new development should be from Milnthorpe Road ONLY. The potential secondary point outlined on the map could be dangerous on two counts:-
a) it is on a bend
b) it is right next to the SLDC open space where children play most days, especially in the summer.
Foot/pushchair access onto Pear Tree Park at this point would give pedestrians a safer route through towards the primary school.
A further point re the SLDC open space - this was designated as a play area ONLY, however, it is used every day by dog-walkers; a potential health risk to the children, some of whom enjoy running around bare-footed. There is just one very small sign prohibiting dog-walking, which is obviously insufficient. I suggest that this play area is fenced and gated at both ends, with very clear signage prohibiting dogs.
What do you think this brief should seek to deliver in terms of landscape, open space, green infrastructure or biodiversity?
The east end of the development is damp and has a hedgerow with trees - a haven for wildlife.
I think that the whole of this area should be reserved as public open space, with just one wide footpath from the main development through to Pear Tree Park, giving access towards the school. A mix of small trees planted alongside the footpath would enhance the whole development.
What approach do you think this brief should take to transport, movement and access into and through the site - including for cyclists and pedestrians?
As already stated above, motor-vehicle access should be from Milnthorpe Road only, however, pedestrian access into PearTree Park would give safer foot access to the school.
What do you think this brief should seek to address in terms of infrastructure and utilities?
Parking areas (and roads where possible) to be porous, to restrict any flood/drainage problems.
Have you any comments or suggestions on aspects of land-use (including housing and employment mix and type), layout and design principles that this brief should seek to promote?
Design principles - ALL homes should have high "green credentials" (fitted solar panels, rainwater recovery, very high levels of insulation, etc, etc) especially for the affordable homes, and homes for people with restricted mobility.
Have you any comments or suggestions on community infrastructure and facilities required locally that could potentially be delivered through this brief?
I would like to see a ban on second homes in all developments in the area (Burton in Kendal and Milnthorpe, as well as here in Holme). Potentially difficult, but this might be addressed by putting a local occupancy restriction on all homes (they would not all have to be classed as "affordable")
Reference the SLDC open space - this was designated as a play area ONLY, however, it is used every day by dog-walkers; a potential health risk to the children, some of whom enjoy running around bare-footed. There is just one very small sign prohibiting dog-walking, which is obviously insufficient. I suggest that this play area is fenced and gated at both ends, with very clear signage prohibiting dogs.
