Response from Mrs Elaine Fishwick (Individual)
1. Mrs Elaine Fishwick (Individual) : 14 Jul 2017 09:51:00
Please use the drop down menu to indicate which of the following sites you are commenting on. Please use a separate form for each site.
Silverdale - part of S50
Please use the box below to make your comments.
I herby register my objections to the proposal to include part of site S50 in the development plan. I object to this on the following grounds:
Environmental - Flooding and pollution - Any further development which would increase the flooding which regularly occurs in the areas of the graveyard, Cove Road and Townsfield should be resisted. Sewerage is a big problem in Silverdale as is the rainwater run off which would be generated from a small estate at the proposed S50 site which would converse to the Cove Rd area. Other sites which would have been detrimental to these areas prone to flooding have already been dropped from the development plan.
Special Qualities of Silverdale/Arnside AONB http://www.arnsidesilverdaleaonb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ASAONB-Special-Qualities-Report-FINAL-1.pdf
It states that “much of the village is fringed by small to medium sized pastures which are enclosed by a characteristic pattern of limestone walls. Pockets of development are interspersed with woodlands and pastureland that form attractive open spaces and pastures follow a pattern of ancient enclosures in some areas. THESE OPEN AREAS ARE A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF SILVERDALE’S CHARACTER.”
The same AONB document talks of visual permeability saying that this is also an important element in the character of the Silverdale settlement. It urges that new development should respect and be in keeping with historic settlement character. All attempts to “build up” and “densify” areas such as developing corners of fields as per site S50, together developments in paddocks and ‘garden grabbing’ in the AONB should be refused as being contrary to the AONB Special Qualities Report dated November 2016.
The AONB Special Qualities Report also states that “open green spaces are an important aspect of settlement character. They can allow public views in to and out from within the settlement and can provide a recreational resource for the community” This shows that the public footpath going through the land in question is an important resource.
Lack of local employment – it should be recognised that Silverdale is successful in attracting tourism for those wishing to escape their urban lives, providing tranquillity and beauty for walkers and cyclists and people as well opportunities for the study wildlife at the RSPB. All attempts to encroach on open spaces and green areas should be resisted otherwise Silverdale will no longer offer the unique opportunities to savour the natural environment described above.
Poor public transport services – new build sites should be centred around employment areas such as Carnforth and the Lancaster area where better transport links exist.
Is there really a need for low cost housing? The recent new builds by the station have become holiday rentals as they couldn’t be sold! Again affordable housing needs to be centred in areas where there are more employment opportunities and transport links. Whinney Fold and Lindeth Close low cost housing struggled to find local needs residents and had to be filled by means of Regional and National advertising so where is the local need?
Road Safety - Traffic levels at the junction of St Johns Avenue/ Emesgate Lane could increase hugely thus affecting safety. The school is not far away.
Access/ road visibility. This junction is already often blocked at busy times. With another, say 25 homes off St Johns Avenue this could mean, at a conservative estimate, at least another 50 cars using that junction. The parking is very bad before and after school already.
Additionally the footpath through the fields to Bottoms Lane and the Row and the Railway station is used by walkers, school children and the elderly -generating more traffic would be dangerous.
Harm to amenity - The land in question although farmland has amenity value as there is a public footpath through it. In the summer scores of walkers use this path and enjoy the views it offers.
Destruction of unique views both of the village (from Eaves Wood, Gait Barrows and Park Road) and from the village looking outwards.
Extension of the outer perimeter or boundary of the village when there are alternative sites of a more discreet nature.
Wildlife spotted in the field recently. Deer, red legged partridge, marsh harrier.
