GNLP1012

Bergh Apton was a small rural farming village, recent developments has already seen an increase in traffic, including heavy construction traffic. The mainly single carriage way roads around the village,and the only two roads into the village are already showing signs of erosion from increased traffic and the bank on the side of Slade Lane is looking in danger of collapse. The residents on Mill Road have in recent weeks found it necessary to erect bollards to stop the erosion of the grasss verges. At school drop off and collections times the single roads are unsafe to walk on or for children to cycle to school on
The situation of this site has been found unsuitable in the past, the position of the field would mean the exit from the site would be obscured by a bend with limited visibility and would obstruct the only passing place with oncoming traffic before the bend.

Access to the site is poor; from a narrow, already overused, lane with restricted visibility in both directions. In addition to current residents the lane is used extensively by local farm traffic and visitors to the garden centre and restaurant in Mill Road. The junction with the A146 is already extremely dangerous. There are 15 new houses either under construction or recently completed together with conversions and extensions in the settlement plus another 8 in Bergh Apton ; as a result existing services and facilities are already full to, or have exceeded, design capacity.

This piece of land would benefit from a sympathetically built and positioned set of dwellings, the parish as a whole needs some work to develop the infrastructure and highways and a site such as this will not have undue impact on these issues to mean that it is not a viable proposition. As per all development requirements, this would fulfil affordable housing criteria and requirements which can only be a positive for the community.

We would very much like to support Mr & Mrs Battle in their attempt to get planning for houses on Millfield, Mill Road, Alpington. We have lived on Hellington Corner for nearly 50 years and in all that time this field has not been productive at all, in fact it has been left by orebious owners in a really bad state. The field has a really good access and giving planning for this site, would really enhance the site and surrounding area. It would also be nice to see something productive done to this field

We are direct neighbours to this site and support a small development of 3 dwellings. We see no reason why this piece of land can't be included into the village boundary. After the initial building disruption the vehicle usage for 3 extra dwellings won't make a significant impact.

This site is ideally placed on a road with utilities already adjacent. It has good access is within walking distance to the local amenities, which include the Post Office, Farm Shop, nearest regular bus route, local primary and pre-school. The road is already used several times a day by those it is intended for, and it's purpose is for low density affordable type housing of which there is a great shortage within the local vicinity. The lay-by and hedgerow will remain in place and the whole site would be sympathetically landscaped so as to blend into the natural surroundings.

With reference to the proposed development of land on Mill Road, Alpington.
I write in support, with dual interests as a representative for the proposal and potential occupant of a home on the site.

This site would be an excellent location for much needed addition to the village housing stock of truly affordable properties. The site has the potential to accommodate several well-designed homes for purchase and rent, tailored to first time buyers and home leavers, young families as well as retired home owners looking to downsize, (thus freeing up much needed family homes that are currently under occupied). A special emphasis on prioritising access for those with ties to the area, especially those with children attending the village school.

Regarding the concerns over increased traffic, it is too simplistic to assume that every additional home built within the village will cause a similarly proportional increase in traffic. The location and intended use of the site will heavily influence the amount and type of traffic using the village's roads. The location just within the current village boundary, (between existing residential properties), will allow cars leaving the site traveling out of the village passing just a handful of set-back properties, quickly accessing the A146 for direct travel to Norwich. Other proposed sites would see this traffic passing the school, pre-school and other locations frequented by pedestrians.

A reduction in village traffic could always be achieved with those commuting to the village on the 'school run' being able to walk rather than drive. From experience with my own family, having three children attending both the primary school and pre-school, we would relish the opportunity to walk or cycle, we currently have to drive to the village every day for school, it could be a car off the road at the busiest time of the day. A significant proportion (I would imagine over half) of pupils attending the village schools arrive by car, this is not due to laziness as most would conclude but couples and young families being priced out of the villages they grew up in, a consequence of a total unwillingness to build and when building does take place, the construction of oversized, overpriced houses that only further exacerbate the scenario. This site provides the opportunity to address this misjustice.

The location of the site gives good, safe access on to Mill Road, visibility either way is more than adequate, especially considering this is a 30 MPH zone. The adopted passing place to the north of the site, while falling within the boundaries of the site and not recognised by The Highways Agency will remain exactly as it is, the frontage hedge and trees will all remain, providing valuable shelter and privacy and reducing any perceived impact.
The location of the site is the best proposal within the village boundaries for access to services. Within walking distance are several regular and frequent bus services to and from Norwich, a post office, the village school and pre-school / village hall / recreation grounds as well as a farm shop and green grocers. If occupants chose to drive to these services, the exposure of traffic will be more limited than with any other proposed site.

At the time of development, the site would cause minimal impact, only noticeable to those living north of the site on Mill Road. All construction traffic would access the site from the A146 using this route. The connection of site services should have minimal impact, water and electricity are already on the site and drainage is adjacent.

This site would be ideal for addition to the local plan. It has good access away from dangerous bends and the road is able to take two way traffic. If the land was developed sympathetically it would become more environmentally viable and the dangerous weed growth kept under control. It had up until it's present owners become a real problem to the land immediately opposite and adjacent as it had been left to overgrow with a terrible ragwort problem, which presented dangers to the horses kept on these fields. I understand this site is intended for affordable housing only.

Great Idea! I love to see proposals that enable families who have grown up in the area for generations able to stay in the area and contribute to our community! Which is what this site proposes. This will enrich the area and be beneficial to many. I cannot see any downside to the proposal.

The field has good access off of the road and the development would not effect the outer surrounding area of the field. The field is located in a good position within the village to be developed for houses, it is close by to local services such as a bus service a local farm shop and post office. The traffic increase would be significantly low as those who this site is intended for use this road on a daily basis.

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.

This site is unsuitable for development because 1. It is outside the development boundary. 2. The roads and highways infrastructure are inadequate to support the extra traffic movements. 3. The access would be dangerous and cause safety issues. 4.There are no footpaths or streetlights here so it would be dangerous for pedestrians.