2 responses from Ms Dawn Hunter-Ellis, SLDC
1. Ms Dawn Hunter-Ellis, SLDC : 9 Jun 2008 11:40:00
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.
Page 156. PO13 - Grange Over Sands Functional Area 2025
Do you support, oppose or have an observation about this part of the Report?
Support
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.
I am writing partly as a resident of Lindale and partly as the Tourism & Marketing Programme Manager at SLDC. This preferred option will add to the vibrancy of Grange both as a place to live and work and as a tourist destination. It is crucial that the major assets of the promenade and the potential for leisure facilties at both old and recent pool sites are developed for the benefit of the whole community. Access to the promenade needs to made easy at several points so that those with limited mobility can enjoy it. Grange will depend on sustainable economic development both to attract younger residents and families to live there and to provide the services that current residents need. (Older people have a very lively interest in participating in the shopping, leisure and eating out offer!) A small Booths supermarket on the Bateman's site near the station, as currently proposed, would be an excellent development for the town, allowing more local produce to be marketed to tourists and residents. It would also provide a much-needed facility for those living near Grange station in the lower part of the town, especially those who are unable to walk up the hill to the current shops. Far from sounding the death knell for high-quality independent retailers, it will bring them more business from people coming to and, importantly, staying in Grange to shop. Large numbers of residents currently shop in Kendal supermarkets or travel to Booths in Ulverston for their weekly shop, many with KOGS stickers on their cars! The importance of cutting down on car journeys is coming home to all of us; for residents in the Grange area, including Lindale, a quality supermarket like Booths coming to the town would be a great opportunity for kick-starting themed tourism initiatives, such as making it a destination for quality local food. This could involve Higginsons, Hazelmere, Fletchers and the delicatessen and bakery on Kents Bank Road, amongst others. Newly opened restaurants in the town would also benefit - as long as, of course, quality is maintained. With the other proposals in PO13, there is no doubt in my mind that all the traders in Grange would benefit from an increased flow of incoming visitors, who would stay in the town longer, and a reduced outflow of residents wishin to spend an anjoyable shopping day elsewhere. The quality of life for Grange residents would also be significantly enhanced by the vigorous pursuit of PO13.
What change(s) would you suggest for this part of the Report?
None
2. Ms Dawn Hunter-Ellis, SLDC : 9 Jun 2008 12:20:00
To which part of the Report does your representation relate?
Paragraph or Section
Preferred Option - PO20 - Tourism
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.
page 208: Section 5.28
page 208: Section 5.29
page 209: PO20
Do you support, oppose or have an observation about this part of the Report?
Support
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.
Page 208: Section 5.28 References to CTB should now be amended in the Community Strategy to 'CT', Cumbria Tourism and the brand 'Kendal & the South Lakes' is now 'Kendal, Windermere & the South Lakes', as championed by South Lakes Tourism Action Group.
Section 5.29 The wording of Options 1 and 2, 'more' or 'less lenient' is perhaps unfortunate. It tends to suggest that the preferred, 'less lenient' option, will deny some economically and environmentally sustainable developments in rural areas simply on principle, which I hope and believe is not the case.
page 209 PO20 Whilst I absolutely agree that tourism development must be sympathetic to its environment and very carefully controlled in rural areas, I hope that projects designed to make good use of existing buildings in the countryside, for housing, self-catering or business purposes, will be considered as long as they enhance the quality experience of the area and take into consideration access issues. For the farming community, for example, such projects have the potential to provide a living as well as ensure that families can continue to work the land - a vital consideration for the preservation of the landscape which residents, businesses and visitors alike consider essential.
What change(s) would you suggest for this part of the Report?
Consultation on and dovetailing with the LDF of the Lake District National Park Authority will be crucial for the success of preferred option PO20, as will sympathetic consideration of planning applications for viable projects outwith the Principal, Key and Local Service Centres.