Local Development Framework Consultation

I have read the guidance notes

General comment / comment on procedure

Yes

Yes

Final Comments on The Arnside and Silverdale AONB Development Plan Document

I generally support the AONB DPD because it reflects the statutory purpose of the AONB and gives great weight to the conservation of the landscape.

In particular:
• policy AS 01 Development Strategy – that all development should be consistent with primary purposes of the AONB and its special qualities as set out in the AONB management plan.
• policy AS 02 Landscape - the reference to rural nature, local distinctiveness, visual amenity, tranquillity, dark skies and the sense of place.
• AS 04 Natural Environment – the protection of designated sites that depends on holistic protection of the quality of the whole AONB and surrounding areas.
• AS 06 Key Settlement Landscapes – “bringing the country into the settlements and reinforcing their rural character” As for the natural environment a holistic protection of all the open space from farmland, woodland to semi-wild habitats and coastal areas are equally important. The coastal land should be included, particularly the small valley, parallel to Lindeth Road and Whinney Lots, extending from Kayes Nursery to Whinney Fold at Silverdale.
• AS 08 Design - A high standard of design that results in development that adds to the outstanding quality of the landscape still remains the fundamental requirement for any new building and these additional sites.

Implementation
The final plan seems to have taken account of the comments I and others have previously made and as suggested with by Green group implantation will require:

• As a priority a much stronger planning presence on the ground with rapid and effective enforcement if these new policies are to carry the full weight that they deserve.





Individual sites
In particularly mixed use prominent sites, AS 16 such as AS23, (AS 26/27) Station Yard at Arnside, where a well designed Master Plan with strong public consultation is essential and similarly AS 25 (B 35/38/81 and 125) land on Sandside Road and Quarry Lane, Sandside.

Planning Topics not covered by the plan
In recent years the drained mosslands of the Yealand Parishes (like similar areas elsewhere) have deteriorated and are becoming more prone to flooding and rush infested. Rather than resist what now appears to be an inevitable process it would be more sensible to concentrate on overall landscape restoration. One way of doing this would be investment to combine woodland planting with the creation of new lakes and tarns as a first stage to restoring natural wetland ecosystems.

The RSPB have demonstrated the success of creative conservation with their new reed beds at Barrow Scout and Silverdale Moss and I understand that they are now in negotiation for similar creation of mires in the flooded fields at Warton. As stated previously I welcome this ‘development’ but consider that it should be classed as major landscape development and included in the planning process (not the statutory development control) but based on a comprehensive planning survey of existing and potential land uses, with proper public consultation of options, as besides extending and supplementing existing wetlands these land use changes have both costs and benefits for the local residents. They can be designed and managed (not just as single interest nature reserves) but as multi purpose basis land management projects, with wider public access, landscape improvement by tree planting as well as the creation of linked lakes and tarns for fishing, wild life and low input farming on the surrounding land, producing sensible quantities of high quality meat, wild game, and possibly eventually some timber on a truly sustainable basis.

Conclusion
I consider the AONB DPD is an exemplary document, based on extensive study and wide local public consultation and can only hope that the implementation of the policies will be equally enlightened and thorough.

Roger Cartwright `13th December 2017

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