GNLP0286

The road structure is too narrow on Twyford lane as it is single track. If delivery lorries or vans stop the whole road is blocked,there is no scope for it to be widened without demolition of existing conservation properties.
The foundry close entry/exit is again single track and used by pupils walking to the school. With the extra traffic this could be a potential road safety hazard for pedestrians.

Twyford lane currently struggles with vehicle access as only really suitable for single file traffic with little or no opportunity to widen any development would only serve to compound the issue

Twyford Lane is very narrow, unsuitable for two-way traffic and, during deliveries of fuel, etc, it becomes impassable. It would therefore be unsuitable for use as an access road for the proposed development. For the same reason, access for construction traffic would be severely compromised. It would prove difficult to widen the lane as it is bounded on either side by historic properties which lie within the Foulsham Conservation Area. These properties are either listed or of special historical interest.

We, the Parish Council of Foulsham, are writing to object to plans GNLP0286 and GNLP0605. We strongly object to these proposed developments on the grounds of very poor access. The lower field identified in GNLP0286 was proposed for development in 1988 and was rejected. Twyford Lane was identified as the proposed access road. This is a single track road which narrows significantly where it joins the high street. When delivery lorries stop on this road, the road is blocked for the duration. There is no scope to widen this road. The alternative road would be Wallers Lane which is smaller than Twyford Lane and exits onto double blind bend which is dangerous to say the least. Both of these roads are used by parents walking their children to school.

The alternative access via GNLP0605 would take the traffic through Aubrey Rix Close, on which the pavement and road are the same level, with no kerb stones and is also a narrow road. This would bring pedestrians into close proximity with traffic which is not a good mix for road safety or health and safety, especially as there are a large number of children walking/running to and from school along this route. There are a number of developments ear marked for the village which would not pose such a problem to safety. We therefore object to both GNLP0286 and GNLP0605.

G. Fearn (Chair of Foulsham Parish Council)

As a home owner in Twyford Lane I object to the proposed site as the lane is an unmade single track which we are all responsible for the upkeep. previously we have had letters from Broadland council telling us that the refuge lorries will not use our lane as it is difficult for access. Also the first part of Twyford Lane is unsuitable for any more traffic.We have difficulty getting in and out of Twyford Lane and Wallers Lane.The plan says part of Twyford Lane could be widened, only if they knock down garden walls to number 17 & 18 Twyford Lane.

As a frequent visitor to Twyford Lane my worries are that the accessibility to Twyford Lane and Wallers Lane are already quite dangerous due to lack of visibility while turning into or leaving either. It is a single lane which is difficult when two vehicles come face to face, one vehicle has to reverse into someone's driveway to let the other pass.

Twyford Lane is narrow and joins Wallers Lane forming a right-angled junction which already provides a hazard for motorists and pedestrians. More traffic would endanger current and future road users. Twyford Lane joins the high street between two brick walls, providing width for a single vehicle. There is no facility to upgrade Twyford Lane.

I feel strongly about the proposed site behind and to the right of my property. Twyford lane, just past my house becomes a public footpath and very narrow and in the countryside which we do not have very much left. The lane is too narrow for 2 way traffic especially HGV's. Twyford Lane and Wallers Lane are both dangerous when turning into and exiting due to poor visibility therefore to increase the traffic will just make it more hazardous. School children use Twyford Lane as a shortcut to walk to school.

Twyford Lane and Wallers Lane are both single file traffic and are already hazardous to pedestrians, especially school children using these lanes as a shortcut to and from school. It is impossible to widen Twyford Lane or Wallers Lane as there are properties on either side. I am not convinced that it will stop at 20 houses being built. It has always been green field land and once developed will continue to be developed. The nature of the village will be substantially altered. The entrance to Foundry Close will not take extra traffic especially HGV's.

Excessively sized development on farm land in an area that would have poor access in and out of Twyford Lane especially. Twyford Lane is difficult enough to access in a car so how would builders lorries, cement lorries,etc manage to get into the lane without damaging residents properties and being a danger to pedestrians due to lack of a pavement and no room to lay a pavement?

This site is currently farming land accessed by a single track lane no need for further development and infrastructure is very poor if access was gained it would cause a bottle neck onto the high street 20 family homes with an average of 3 cars additional 60 cars we are losing the bus service cars will be a necessity this to be outside the development boundary and many wildlife species living in adjacent trees deer bats owls frogs, toads and newts this development was proposed many years ago and turned down by highways nothing has changed since this decision ?

ACCESS
The proposed site can be served by a Minor Access Way (Rural) considered by Norfolk County Council highways to be acceptable for access for up to 25 dwellings. A stretch of Twyford Lane will require upgrading, but can accommodate the minimum recommended width within highway land, or within our client's site. At the western end of this upgraded section a type 2 turning head will be provided to allow access to the footpath and fields beyond. A similar type 2 turning head will terminate the minor access road within the site. Development of this site is within the capacity of this type of highway. A higher standard highway may be possible depending on negotiation with affected properties on Twyford Lane.

ACCESSIBLITY TO SERVICES
Foulsham is considered a service village in the Broadland Site Allocation DPD 2016, with a primary school, post office, store, village hall, public house, and church in the village, with medical services available in Reepham. The proposal site has a similar relationship to the centre of Foulsham to site FOU1 in the Broadland Site Allocation SPD adopted 2016 which is immediately to the south of the proposal site. This was granted approval 20130929 and has since been developed. Both of these sites are closer to the centre of the village than much of the historical development on the periphery. There are adequate local facilities to serve small scale development.

UTILITIES CAPACITY
Foulsham has access to the foul sewage network, and this would be the preferred solution for the proposal site. However, if there are capacity issues, an alternative approach would be the installation on site of a small scale package plant.
A small area in the extreme south-west corner of the site is at low risk of fluvial and surface water flooding. We propose sustainable storm water management to provide a swale or pond near this point which will also benefit the local ecology and will have no negative impact on areas beyond the site.
All other utilities are available locally with capacity.

BIODIVERSITY & GEODIVERSITY
Appropriate specialist assessments will be included in any forthcoming application with mitigation measures put into effect. The provision of significant landscaping and ponds will benefit local ecology.

We have issued a sketch site plan as an informative by separate email.

Twyford Lane is a single track road within the conservation area. Access is limited and dangerous.The High Street struggles with the current traffic load and parking, reduced to single lane in most places.The high costs to carry out essential upgrades to services / infrastructure brings the viability of 20 properties into question? An increase on this would further compound the access & safety issues already raised for the current proposal.The justification for the proposal is that we are a "Service Village" this status is under question as we will no longer have a bus service from the end of March.

The proposed development of more houses around Foundry Close is constrained by very poor access onto Stringers Lane and Aubrey Ricks Close from Foundry Close. This single track road is already dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists and the addition of more houses will only increase the likelihood a serious accident. The alternate route via Twyford Lane has the same issues.
In addition, Barn Owls can be seen regularly hunting on the proposed land; this would be lost, along with a loss of privacy and devaluation of properties adjacent to the proposed developments.