GNLP0435

Objection based on the grounds of road safety issues leading into and out of the village, either via Slade Lane or Burgate Lane into Poringland. Both of theses roads are unsuitable due to the roads being very narrow and have some 90 degree bends with no visabilty and passing is only an option in certain places on the side of the road.

Alpington and Yelverton Parish Council objects to this site on a number of grounds:
1. The site is outside the development boundary of the village.
2. By adding further development the character and structure of the village will be materially and irrevocably affected.
3. The highway and surrounding road infrastructure was not designed for the volumes it currently has to deal with and therefore further pressure on the roads and junctions leading to significant safety issues and further congestion.
4. Existing roads around the village are having hedgerows, ditches, verges and bankings damaged by vehicles being forced to the edges in a bid to pass on narrow sections. This is as a result of too much traffic.
5. The village has no street lights and very few footpaths. Walking around the village where there are no footpaths is quite a dangerous pastime already due to the volumes of traffic; this would become more dangerous and probably cause some parishioners to stop walking and either stay at home or take their cars for the short journeys instead. This is not what village life is about.
6. The village has a very restricted bus service that is inconsistent and not conducive to a plausible travel plan. Additional new housing would not boost the potential passenger numbers sufficiently to warrant additional services and therefore every new house would add further vehicle movements to the roads by necessity. This is not sustainable development planning.

Land is outside the agreed development boundary in a rural area and any development would be out of character and detrimental to residents enjoyment of the landscape. I also strongly object due to the nature of Burgate Lane being a single track country lane, safe access is unachievable due to its situation close to the 90 degree Z bends. The location is out on a limb from the 2 major settlements of Poringland and Alpington and any occupants would be forced to drive as foot traffic is dangerous, no footpaths or street lighting. This site is totally unsuitable for development.

I object because the road and highway infrastructure is inadequate to support the additional housing. The access to Burgate Lane would be dangerous and there are significant safety issues.