Local Development Framework Consultation

Storth - Quarry Lane

Dear Sir/Madam
"Storth, proposal to extend the areas proposed for allocation on Park Road and Quarry Lane to include additional sites, including areas to be kept open"
As a resident of Storth and a council tax payer I feel it is my duty to communicate feedback to you regarding the above proposal. I wish to address the consultation in broad terms.
1 The purpose and rationale for this consideration.
2 My thoughts on what I believe this proposal to be about.
3 The purpose and duty of my council to engage in meaningful consultation.

This proposal was brought to my attention on Facebook via a resident communication. Having studied the wording of the proposal I would ask for clarification as to the objectives of further development of the areas as follows "The Draft Plan Consultation established that a comprehensive approach to the redevelopment of the areas proposed for allocation on Quarry Lane and Park Road is appropriate and necessary to ensure that the best outcomes can be delivered from these sites. The redevelopment of these sites is dependent on new access being created from Park Road. During consultation on the Draft Plan, concerns were expressed by the landowners that this could not be achieved without some development taking place on additional portions of land, beyond those already identified.
Their proposal is that B79, B116 and B117 should be re-considered as extensions to the area proposed for development at Draft Plan stage and that this would include additional development and an emergency access to the south of the site that would serve day-to-day as a pedestrian link to the village centre and would support the viability of the access from Park Road.
In the Draft Plan, B79 and B116 were identified as Key Settlement Landscapes for protection and B117, a greenfield site, was not allocated for development."

In essence, who is asking for further development of this area. What are the objectives and what is the demand for commercial development? The consultation document is vague and therefore it is not possible to engage in a practical manner at this stage. It appears the drive for this inclusion is for commercial reasons from a developer or landowner. Without relevant information it is not possible to be precise in the feedback.

Before council funds are further spent on assessments, site visits and meetings it is preferable for the residents and tax payers to be furnished with more concrete proposals on which to base our relevant feedback.

2 If this proposal relates to further housing and business premises in the village of Storth then here are my concerns.
The village of Storth albeit peaceful and popular has grown extensively over the past 54 years since my family settled here. The facilities within the village are not condusive to further housing development. The preservation of open spaces are crucial to maintaining the village and its natural habitat.
Furthermore, if the proposal is for affordable housing this is not an ideal site for families who have to travel to work to towns and cities nearby given the poor public transport network and the cost of travel.

If for housing, I would question the demand for houses in South Lakeland and respectfully ask that you and your councillors consider the need for expanding villages to accomodate families where young people who can afford to live here find it difficult to socialise, travel and experience life generally.

If for commerical premises then again I would question the demand for workshops, factories, offices in this particular area given the rates and the location. I have some first hand experience of running a business in this area at the location in question. A pleasant place to work, but a very expensive one. It is feared that empty premises blight an area rather than rejuvenate. Careful thought is needed.

3 Finally on the subject of consultation. As this is at an early stage, perhaps one should be asking 1 Who is driving this? 2 What is the demand for housing and commerce on this site? 3 What are we actually consulting on and how are we to communicate this to the council tax payers? There will be many residents who are not online who need a voice also. Relying on one member of the community to pass the word on is not, in my opinion, effective nor satisfactory. The detail of the report does not fully explain the proposal. This leads to confusion. I respectfully ask if consultation is needed more information is given to your tax payers in a plain English format. I have worked in the public sectors for three decades and appreciate the nature of strategic planning but also think that more information is required if the quality of your consultation is to be meaningful.

In short, I do not believe there should be development in the areas of Storth on your proposed plan. I reject the proposal on the grounds that development in the AONB should be met elsewhere and if we as residents are to be "published" then so too should interested parties and developers with an interest.

Yours faithfully.