Object
New, Revised and Small Sites
Representation ID: 17078
Received: 15/11/2018
Respondent: Mr David Holmes
I must object to the proposal due to the following factors:
1. Poor existing single track road network with no further capacity.
2. The development cannot share Hevingham Village's limited amenities due to location.
3. No public transport in area and no bus stops within safe walking distance.
4. Local schools not available within safe walking distance.
5. The area does not have sufficient capacity to provide services and there is no gas supply.
6. The development sits next to Buxton Heath (SSSI) and the development would cause environmental issues.
7. No viability assessment has been conducted by the proposers.
I would like to make the following comments to support my objection against this proposed site:
1. The access to the site would require significant improvements to make it even remotely viable. The "main" roads leading to the area of the proposed site are unlit single track country roads with few passing spaces and no pathways. There is already a strain on these roads with the current population in this area and increased traffic would cause major problems.
2. The proposed area for development is not geographically in the main village of Hevingham but is some 2 miles north. The only link road between this part of the village and the main sections of Hevingham is a dirty small country road which regularly floods and is often very muddy. Therefore, the proposed development would not be able to share the already limited facilities which form part of the main village.
3. There is no public transport to/from the proposed development. The nearest bus stop is over 2 miles away and there is no path or safe walking area to get to the bus stop. Anyone moving to the area would need their own vehicle/transportation and this would cause road network issues as stated in point 1.
4. The "local" school is not within reasonable walking distance and is already at capacity. There is no school within safe walking distance of the proposed development.
5. There are only basic services available in the area of this proposal with no gas supply and an over-subscribed sewage system. The area is surrounded by privately owned farm land and private housing and I would suspect that it would be difficult to implement the required service improvements to the development.
6. The area sits very close to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (Buxton Heath) and I would be very concerned by the impact of the extra population to this area. Additional housing and people would impact this area through increased pollution from the extra vehicles and the additional pollutants produced through heating systems within the houses. I would also be concerned if the new development was furnished with street lighting as this is a dark area currently with no street lighting. The current local residents and wildlife would not appreciate additional lighting.
7. The proposed development area is a good hunting ground for bats, tawny owls, buzzards and other wildlife. Owls in particular are heard in this area very regularly and I would be concerned on the impact of these animals if the area was developed.
8. No official viability assessment has been done by the proposer for this site and the application form has very little information provided. The application does not appear to have been produced professionally and shows little thought for the real impacts of the proposed development.