I object to the proposed planning development GNLP2121, supporting the objections of the Wortwell Parish Council,for the following reasons mostly linked with the fact the services in the local community are not sufficient to cope with the number of people living in the houses proposed, having already not been able to cope with the increased demand of new housing in the local area specifically in Harleston:
* There is no local school with Harleston education already overstretched and the small facilities of Mendham Primary with more pupils than ever in its history. If there is to be affordable housing for people with families. schools will be required.
* The nearest medical and dental services are in Harleston. Already it takes two days for the phone to be answered to make a doctor's appointment in the one doctor's surgery with new GPs unable to be attracted to the area. Arriving in 2001 there were no NHS dentist vacancies in Harleston - the Bungay dentist I registered with has also now transferred to Halesworth.
* In 2000 the local shop was shut down now requiring travel to Harleston for nearest facilities.
* Bus services through High Road are so limited that they do not enable people to use them to travel to school or work. As a head teacher who had to travel to Norfolk and to Ipswich I was unable to get to work on public services despite a temporary medical condition that prevented me driving.
* The few employment opportunities in the close local area mean travel to Bury St Edmunds, Norwich and Ipswich for work would require the use of a car on the roads preventing the attainment of green targets set. Since 2001 I tried to car share but found there were not suitable car shares.
* The blind bends and width of Low Road in travelling to the Sancroft estate require one of the drivers at most points to be at a standstill in order to pass safely
- this would be well nigh impossible with the increased traffic from the new housing planned.
* In the years since 2001 this stretch of Low Road has to been flooded during heavy rain and after snow being not only a problem to traffic but to nearby housing.
* Low Road is used by walkers, joggers, dog walkers, cyclists for leisure and racing, horse riders, antique and modem farm vehicles all the time. Increased traffic will not only provide danger, to all these people especially where the pavement finishes but also prevent those activities which enable people to keep in good health and out of GPs!
* Low Road goes through a site of scientific interest, with many walks with views of unspoilt countryside that attract tourists to the area, using the local caravan site and B and B, enabling three local pubs to keep viable. The increase in traffic and change in character to the village will make it a less attractive destination, thus affecting the local economy.
* Wortwell Parish Council have plans already to develop housing sufficien t for local need.