Response from Mr Mike Warwick (Individual)
1. Mr Mike Warwick (Individual) : 10 Jul 2008 08:49:00
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.
Re Proposed development Heversham/Leasgill and Milnthorpe.
Page 163 - I think the 1.5km boundary is generous and perhaps this should be checked, as if this is the criteria then I dont think Heversham and Leasgill should be included, as they are more than 1.5km distance
Page 164 - East Heversham - This land behind the school would have poor access from both Woodhouse Lane and Park House Drive, and would cause enormous traffic issues. The pavements where they exist are narrow, unsuitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Since moving in to Park House Drive 9 months ago we have had problems with our drains, and had to renew our drain to the main drain. This is a problem that several people on Dugg Hill and Park House Drive have had, and I would question if the drains in the village have the capacity to cope with a substantial new estate of housing.
The impact of a development on this land would spoil greatly the vista of the village from the estuary. The land is, I understand, part of a Charitable Trust, and mandated to the School from the Dallam Estate. There is a public footpath over the land which is heavily used. The thought of housing on this land makes me feel ill. What are we leaving for the next generation - are all villages to become small towns?
Page 167 - The document states that Heversham/Leasgill was not included in the Employment and Housing Land Search study because it was not identifies as a potential Local Service Centre in the Core Strategy issues and options report 2005. I would question what has changed? There is not a shop or post office in the village. The bus route is likely to cease when the secondary school closes which means the only method of transport will be the car - which in itself means increased pollution. In reality every new house will likely have a car - adding to the carbon footprint.
Heversham I understand is in a conservation area, and is being considered to become included in the National Park. Any plans need to consider this fact.
We moved to the village from a town specifically to enjoy village life, as I would suspect many people do. If the size of the village were to increase I am concerned about the impact this would have on the ethos of the village.
I appreciate that affordable housing is needed, I have two children who are trying to access the housing market. They have both stated that they would not look for a property in a village, they want to be based in a town, with all the amenities they offer.
You state that SLDC are attempting to attract employment to the Milnthorpe area. I would question the type of employment. If the jobs were to pay high salaries, they would attract younger people from away, who would not be entitled to take up affordable housing, nor be able to take up the remaining housing set aside for local occupancy.
If the employment were at the average salary in South Lakes - £18-20,0000 then it is unlikely that these people would be able to afford the affordable housing, and the local occupancy will also be out of their financial reach.
There are no jobs in Heversham, so it goes against SLDC environmental policy, as people have to travel to work which is more than likely to be minimum wage and beyond Kendal - 10-20 miles within the National Park.