Object
New, Revised and Small Sites
Representation ID: 19582
Received: 16/12/2018
Respondent: Mrs CAROL BELLIS
I am objecting because I have had experience of living with overbuilding without the necessary infrastructure. I moved here from Maidstone earlier this year, and although my reason for moving was that I had wanted to live in this area for more than 10 years (when I first worked here), it was a massive relief to move away from Maidstone and the problems caused by rampant house building
Kent planning also decided to build hundreds of houses in one go and the result was truly chaos: all roads leading to the town centre became gridlocked after 6 am (as people left for work earlier and earlier to escape traffic). The situation did not improve during the day , only worsening at peak times and local residents became virtual prisoners in their homes only taking to the roads in their cars between 10.30 and 2.30. We lived in a small village 3 miles off the M20, and it was 'normal' for our journey to reach the motorway to take 40 minutes.
I fear that Roydon and Diss will see a similar situation: it is quite obvious that there will be nowhere for the extra traffic to go since all spokes of the wheel lead to Diss town centre. In the few months we have lived here we have realised that we need to leave for work at a much earlier hour than is needed, we start our shopping at 7.30am etc. We had to wait 5 weeks for a doctor's appointment simply to register with a practice. Unable to find space with any local dentists we will have to register several miles away - and our first appointment will not take place for several more weeks
What will happen when the population swells with the massive number of houses proposed? These current problems will be exacerbated. The roads will become gridlocked in a similar fashion as motorists develop a 'rat run' route through our quiet areas with their narrow roads.
I suspect that most objections you have received will be on the same lines: we accept that there is a need for more housing, but fear that the roads, services and facilities are not able to cope at the moment, never mind with all the extra residents.
I am objecting because I have had experience of living with overbuilding without the necessary infrastructure. I moved here from Maidstone earlier this year, and although my reason for moving was that I had wanted to live in this area for more than 10 years (when I first worked here), it was a massive relief to move away from Maidstone and the problems caused by rampant house building
Kent planning also decided to build hundreds of houses in one go and the result was truly chaos: all roads leading to the town centre became gridlocked after 6 am (as people left for work earlier and earlier to escape traffic). The situation did not improve during the day , only worsening at peak times and local residents became virtual prisoners in their homes only taking to the roads in their cars between 10.30 and 2.30. We lived in a small village 3 miles off the M20, and it was 'normal' for our journey to reach the motorway to take 40 minutes.
I fear that Roydon and Diss will see a similar situation: it is quite obvious that there will be nowhere for the extra traffic to go since all spokes of the wheel lead to Diss town centre. In the few months we have lived here we have realised that we need to leave for work at a much earlier hour than is needed, we start our shopping at 7.30am etc. We had to wait 5 weeks for a doctor's appointment simply to register with a practice. Unable to find space with any local dentists we will have to register several miles away - and our first appointment will not take place for several more weeks
What will happen when the population swells with the massive number of houses proposed? These current problems will be exacerbated. The roads will become gridlocked in a similar fashion as motorists develop a 'rat run' route through our quiet areas with their narrow roads.
I suspect that most objections you have received will be on the same lines: we accept that there is a need for more housing, but fear that the roads, services and facilities are not able to cope at the moment, never mind with all the extra residents.