Response from Mr Chris Carr (Individual)
1. Mr Chris Carr (Individual) : 24 Jan 2018 09:21:00
Have you any other comments about the Draft Development Brief and the Draft Supporting Contextual Information Document?
Following my recent attendance of the drop in event at Holme Parish Hall I wanted to
record a few of my thoughts regarding the above proposed development.
My comments are based on my being a village resident for 27 years and a local estate
agent for 14 years.
1.It is suggested that there will be a mix of properties including bungalows, I don't consider there is a need for further stock of this type as the village already has considerable bungalow stock.
2. There is however a continued need for affordable properties for first time buyers and young families with limited income and lending power.In the past ,the affordable element have always included flats which in recent years have proved much less popular certainly on re sale. My feeling is that affordable stock in a village location would be better suited as 2 and 3 bed houses.
3. I am aware that there has been a change in most recent years whereby often part of the affordable element has been for rental linked to a housing association. Again my professional opinion is that this may not be most appropriate in this location where market purchase of affordable properties is likely to be a preferred choice. Should a rental element be deemed integral then I feel strongly that the tenancies should adhere to the same parish based local occupancy to assure that tenants are from local families that will 'fit in' to a village environment. I have been privy to a number of conversations in my office whereby recent developments locally are marred by a higher number of housing association tenants which buyers find off putting and ultimately will devalue open market properties. May sound a bit harsh but I would hate the same to happen in this village.
4. Regards parking, there is an increasing problem particularly on phase one of Pear Tree Park where unnecessary on road parking /part on pavements is beginning to create potential dangerous obstructions on junctions and in such locations that could cause access for emergency vehicles very difficult. I would like assurance that on this development there would be either more off road parking per house (unlikely except with the more expensive family homes) or some form of policing by the dreaded double yellow lines !!!
5. Access to/from the site, my initial thoughts had been that access should not be onto the existing Mayfield Ave which already is used as a bit of a rat run across the village however I can now see that to have access from both sides of the site should share the load however I feel strongly that speed calming measures should be an integral part of the street scene to protect particularly young family members.
6. The current excisting open space at the western end is currently sadly underused I feel because it is ill defined, ill maintained (the grass is so poorly cut that its generally too long to say play football on) As part of the new development it would be nice to see this existing area developed with interesting landscaping. seating etc and in the long term better maintained by the groundkeeping contractors. It could be a very pleasant, well used facility.
7. I had read that there had been suggestion that an allotment area should be incorporated into the site. Much as this facility is creditable and generally very popular I dont feel its something that would sit well on a modern development. By nature they are generally haphazard , sometimes untidy facilities which would be detrimental in such a residential development. As it stands we already have a successful allotment on Moss Lane in a much more suited environment on the edge of the village.
8. In recent years there has been increased flooding issues in parts of the village from undergound water courses and drainage. This scenario is likely to continue and may become worse in years to come. Its paramount that drainage facilities are more than adequate to service any new build and that no chances are taken with regard to building on the areas of the site that are already always wet and that the extra new builds do not in any way adversely affect the existing housing stock locally.
Kind regards
Chris Carr
