GNLP2117

This is a large site of nearly 2 hectares situated to the north of Cookes Road and part adjacent to the village hall. Under the Joint Core strategy it was proposed development to the south of Cookes Road (BER1), now known as Hawthorn Drive should have an extended development boundary to the north of Cookes Road from the village hall to the pond belonging to Washingford Barn. Following an objection raised at the public enquiry the Independent Government Inspector ruled that the extended development boundary should be expunged because of the heritage value of the land to the north of Cookes Road. Nothing has occurred since to improve the status of this site as suitable for development.
Site forms part of centuries old parkland which extends for over 1km on the north side of Threadneedle Street and Cookes Road from Bergh Apton Manor to Washingford House. The site is adjacent to Washingford Barn, a listed building and was originally within the curtilage of this property. The land for the village hall being given to the village as a kind donation.
No planning permission has ever been given for any modern housing to the north of Cookes Road
Cookes Road is a single track at this point with no passing places and further development would exacerbate traffic issues.
It is a greenfield site.
Nearest school is over 1 mile away and there is no safe route to it, the roads are mainly narrow and there are no pathways.

Small rural village retaining scattered housing varying styles; typical of The English Village. Many visitors escaping urbanity, traffic, poor air quality.
Cooke's Road unsuitable for heavy traffic. Personal and service traffic increase with every development
Government plan for low cost housing. Rare in village, needed by community. Proposal unspecific
Exit opposite driveway; 60 meters from housing estate exit, sharp bend, T junction
Mains drainage or gas unlikely
Heavy clay. Flooding causing major problems site opposite
Broadband and mobile reception poor, WiSpire inaccessible
Limited bus service; shops, GP only accessible by car
Site adjoins Grade 2 listed Manor and Washingford Barn

Bergh Apton has narrow roads, no footways and a poor bus service. None of the four sites have the main sewer nearby adding to development costs, this additional cost ultimately passes to house purchaser. Fibre broadband accessibility is poor and mobile signal is sporadic. Climate change is a major player in our futures and accordingly should play a major part in planning decisions. Lack of local amenities results in reliance on car travel. Low cost suburban housing close to shops and amenities is more sensible and allows future generations enjoyment of the green open spaces that we ourselves have enjoyed.

This site is a mile from Alpington School which can only be reached via country lanes which do not have any pathways.Part of the journey would be on roads with a 60MPH limit.Cooke's Road is single track and is not suitable for further development of this nature.

HELAA state this site is reasonably accessible to a range of services,but this is not correct.The services available close to the site are only the infrequent bus service and the village hall which is adjacent.The primary school is in Alpington which is a mile from the site accessed by country lanes without any pavement.The impact on heritage assets by developing by developing this site would be a disaster.This land forms part of the centuries old parkland,which encompasses Bergh Apton Manor,Washingford Barn(both listed buildings which adjoin the site) and Washingford House.
Cooke's Road is single track at this point.

This site is contigious with - and surrounds on three sides - the site ref GLNP 0122 to which a significant number of objctions have already been made.

All my objections to GNLP 0122 therefore apply to this site, viz:

1. This are of land was rejected by the Inspector relating to JCS. Nothing has occurred to improve it's status as a suitable development site.
2. The Site forms part of centuries-old parkland and originally within curtilage of Washingford Barn - listed building
3. The Inspector ruled that there should be no extebsion of the development boundary north of Cookes Road from BER 1.
4. Cookes Road is a single track road with no passing places, this development would exacerbate traffic issues
5. There is no mains drains and no ditches of watercourses into which water from any developemnts on this site could be disposed.
6. This is a greenfield site.

- Cookes Road is a single track road and further development would increase serious traffic issues
- Site forms part of centuries old parkland and near to listed building.
- It is a greenfield site
- Nearest school is over 1 mile away. Dangerous route to it and roads are mainly narrow without pathways.

- We are concerned that the wildlife currently attracted to the large pond would be frightened away by a dwelling in such close proximity. We currently have herons and kingfishers coming to the pond.
- Compromise the setting of the listed barn (Washingford Barn) as the new dwellings would be in view of the building.
- We would be very supportive of a development on a brownfield site, rather than this greenfield site

GNLP2117/Cooke's Road/Object
This site is not reasonable accessible to a range of services. The Village Hall is adjacent. There is an infrequent bus service along The Street and Threadneedle Street. The school is in Alpington, which is a mile away. BER1, to the south of Cookes Road was completed in 2017. Drainage issues were anticipated by objectors and have occurred.
The nearest mains drainage is 600 mtr from this site. This site is part of the ancient parkland which stretches for over 1 km to the north of Cooke's Road and Threadneedle Street, from Bergh Apton Manor in the west to Washingford House in the east.

Summary:
Development of this site would be a disaster, because it would change the character of the village, which is spread out into hamlets.

GNLP2015/SL0007/Town Farm/Comment.
I do not agree with HELAA's comments. The very nature of Bergh Apton is ,that it is spread out. There is no consensus as to where the Village Centre is, or that it even exists. This site is between Hillview and Town Farm and it's development would create a little hamlet. It is served by the following:- Church, an infrequent bus service, HWRC,Mains drainage available,Thurton School is approximately 1 mile. There would be no effect on views of the church, unless you count views from Town Farm field looking to the east, by Mr. Harris. Between this site and the nearest SSSI there is Hillview, Scop Hill, the HWRC,a road and a field used for grazing horses. Regarding the highway issue, this road is similar to most roads in Bergh Apton:- narrow and winding.

Summary:-
I believe that the GNLP are looking for small sites. Of all sites submitted so far in Bergh Apton ,it is this 5 dwelling application that best suits the nature of Bergh Apton.

The Parish Council wish to make some general comments re the additional sites proposed. The site specific comments have already been uploaded.
Bergh Apton was classified as a "Rural Service Village" under the Joint Core Structure and was allocated 2 sites for estate development. BER1 is to the south of Cooke's Road. It is now known as Hawthorn Drive and was completed at the end of 2017. BER2 is to the east of The Street and to the south of Dodgers Lane. Some starts were made, but at present it is dormant.

Bergh Apton is now classified under the GNLP. as an "Other" Village. There is no primary school in Bergh Apton, Alpington School is more than a mile from all the submitted sites, and it can only be reached via narrow country roads, without pavements.

Bergh Apton lacks the appropriate infrastructure to support further estate development. There is a lack of employment opportunities.

We consider that development should be concentrated in Norwich and close to it, thereby taking advantage of it's infrastructure. Recently some very large brownfield sites have become available. Also the Broadland Northway has been completed.
I would be grateful if these comments could be considered in conjunction with the site specific comments.