Ref site in GNLP0549, Barracks Field, consultation of 08/01/2018 and HELAA, December 2017.
In 1997, we objected under ref. 6944 to the site which at the time was put forward as part of the South Norfolk District Council Local Plan. At the time we pointed out the shortcomings of Hawkes Lane, the lack of village facilities, pedestrian safety and the failure to promote green policies by discouraging the use of motor vehicle. This site did not make the final selection.
Again in the run up to completing the Site Specific Allocations in 2015, this site was excluded.
Within the last few months under ref 2017/2807, the expansion of the Nurseries site on Hawkes Lane was severely criticised by Highways Department due to pedestrian and highways safety issues noted as references SHCR03 and SHCR07 in their report.
Since the site was proposed in mid 2016, Home Farm House has gained Grade II listing whilst the adjoining Bracon Ash common has become recognised as an outstanding Countryside Wildlife Site. These two points were not mentioned in the application assessment now being reviewed.
Hawkes Lane continues to be a narrow roadway with a particularly blind and dangerous bend in addition to the dangers highlighted by the Highways report, whilst the alternative access to and from the B1113, Mergate Lane, continues to deteriorate, is extremely narrow, regularly floods and is far short of the necessary quality to meet current regulations. This route also has a blind exit on to the Flordon Road with southbound traffic leaving the B1113 at this point doing so without slowing down.
One would shudder to consider the additional damage to verges and the road edges that would be caused by HGV's servicing the building of this proposed site.
The site is poorly drained. Any change in the current slow infiltration by developing the site will exasperate the flooding problems in Mergate Lane and Marsh Lane. Also, there is case law that states that Riparian Rights are lost once there is a change of use to a housing development.
The site is 2.25 kilometres from the local School and Doctors and involves 1 kilometre of poor or non-existent pavements to reach the Cuckoofield bus stop. This site would fail the sustainability guidelines on this matter.
In conclusion, we think the potential development offers only disadvantages, increased dangers to new and existing residents and we therefore object to the site being included in the current GNLP sites