Response from Mr and Mrs Joe & Eva Marsland (Individual)
1. Mr and Mrs Joe & Eva Marsland (Individual) : 25 May 2008 23:27:00
To which part of the Report does your representation relate?
Paragraph or Section
The Preferred Option - PO13 - Grange-over-Sands Functional Area 2025
Please state as clearly as you can the exact part of the Report you are commenting on by quoting the page number (if known), paragraph number, option name or number, or the number of the map, figure or table.
Core Strategy Chapter 4 - Preferred Options PO13 Grange Area P160
Preferred direction of growth 1. North West Grange - Land off Grange Fell Road
Do you support, oppose or have an observation about this part of the Report?
Oppose
Please write your comment or explain your reasons for supporting or opposing this part of the Report. You may also wish to refer to the tests of soundess in the glossary of the Preferred Options document before making your comments.
Suitability:
The land is currently successfully used for agricultural purposes entirely in keeping with the character of the area. Reducing the farmed area must adversely affect the viability of this operation.
The document states that the north of the site "has high visual impact". This is in fact true of the whole of the site and development would greatly detract from the Fell End approach to Hampsfell.
"Main service areas 900 metres away" ignores the fact that this is via a steep hill, which for most people would necessitate the use of a car to access these services. The road at the site has no foot paths.
Grange Fell Road is steep and lined with residents parked cars. Recent planning permission for the site opposite Grange Fell Cottages will reduce off-road parking and increase traffic. Site access would be a major problem if this development is allowed.
It is usual after heavy rain for there to be considerable run-off of water from these fields, some of which already finds its way into nearby houses. The change of use would reduce the capacity of the land to absorb rainfall even further.
It is hard to see why this land has been identified as suitable for residential use, but to add the possibility for employment use seems perverse in view of the visually sensitive nature of the area and the poor road links.
The references to employment uses in Lindale and sewage capacity problems near the Toyota garage do not appear to support the case for this site.
Achievability:
In view of the access, drainage and landscaping needed for development "easily developable" seems very optimistic.
The references to "large site" and "economies of scale" are worrying, especially as the intended area is nowhere clearly identified.
What change(s) would you suggest for this part of the Report?
Remove this section.
Please indicate if you wish to be notified when the Core Strategy has been:
Submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination
Adopted by the District Council