GNLP2145

I support this site as it is part of an proposed area that was in the 90's looking at constructing a social and service area that would bring sheltered housing that could benefit the local elderly allowing them to move out of Council owned 3 bed housing into smaller and manageable properties within the village. The commercial units would hopefully bring in employment opportunities for the local population, with hopefully bring into the village a doctors surgery and maybe a new junior school to relieve pressures on the current village school, and first time buyers property's.

Whilst I feel this proposal is on the best side of the village for development, I do have concerns with respect to the number of new properties and the subsequent impact on local traffic and the capacity of the local school.

This site is somewhat dissociated from the village. My concern would be for safe access from the A140 . Presumably a roundabout would need to be built to facilitate this and would constitute a major undertaking.

Northern edge of the site in fluvial flood zones 2 & 3 and also affected by a surface water flood flow path.
Surface water flood risk extends north to south on both sides outside of the site boundary and effect Burston Road which could create a dry island. Depths in Burston Road are indicated as above 300mm both to the east and west of the site for the surface water low probability flood event.

Planning permission has recently been granted for the demolition of an existing dwelling and the erection of a mixed use development comprising of 7 affordable homes, 7 custom-build homes and 8 accessible dwellings for older people, a small scale community facility, unit for commercial/community use, public open space and enhanced areas of woodland (2018/0980).

The consented site forms part of GNLP submission site ref.0516 and would connect to GNLP submission site ref.2145.

The consented development included a Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy which will be submitted separately for your consideration. This demonstrates a low risk of flood risk for this part of the site and incorporates sustainable means of surface water management to ensure adequate drainage.

Sites GNLP 2083, 2084, 0230R

OBJECT

I am writing on behalf of Dickleburgh and Rushall Parish Council as chair of the council.
Our opposition to this site is based on the effect it will have on traffic on Norwich Road and through the village - already a major problem for residents without the weight of extra traffic. There is no doubt that traffic from any site north of the village will go south down The Street to the roundabout rather than heading north to try to get on to the A140 at a highly dangerous junction at the top of the hill. The traffic will therefore have a serious impact in terms of quality of life and safety on the village.
It is for that reason the parish council favours sites to the south of the village for any possible development

Site GNLP 2145
OBJECT
I am writing on behalf of Dickleburgh and Rushall Parish Council as chair of the council.

As we have discussed with the developer in connection with an earlier planning application adjoining this site, we oppose further housing development in this part of village if traffic from the new houses issues on to Norwich Road, as is currently planned.
The effect on traffic on Norwich Road and through the village - already a major problem for residents without the weight of extra traffic - will be harmful to the quality of life of residents and to the safety to pedestrians and drivers. There is no doubt that traffic from this site will go south down The Street to the roundabout rather than heading north to try to get on to the A140 at a highly dangerous junction at the top of the hill. The traffic will therefore have a serious impact on the village.
It is for that reason the parish council favours sites to the south of the village for any possible development

1. Please take into consideration that, as a village, Dickleburgh has over the past three years played its part to help resolve the shortage of local housing. In 2017, a development of 15 affordable homes was completed on Norwich Road. A 22-house development is currently under construction on Harvey Lane, and a further 24-house site for Norwich Road has been granted outline planning permission. It is hoped and expected that the GNLP board will take into consideration these significant recent developments when considering further expansion of the village. As the parish council has said, we expect any development to be proportionate and sustainable, bearing in mind the size, infrastructure and character of our village.

2. Please note that residents have been extensively consulted about the GNLP with two public meetings and a survey. The parish council is reflecting a strongly-held majority view.

3. Please note that the following changes have recently occurred in the village which affect our status as a service village. There is now no garage and there is no doctors' surgery.

2. We re-iterate the importance of traffic infrastructure in the village. Week by week, the situation regarding residents' quality of life and safety is worsening as a result of traffic through the centre of the village. Residents and the Parish Council hope and expect the GNLP to recognise this problem and for their decisions to reflect its importance.

Our general policy statement:
THE GNLP AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN OUR VILLAGES: A POLICY STATEMENT BY DICKLEBURGH AND RUSHALL PARISH COUNCIL
As a community, Dickleburgh and Rushall are committed to playing their part in the GNLP's plan for future housing. We believe some new housing, particularly that which is affordable, is important for the future health and prosperity of our village.
At the same time, it is essential that this growth is sustainable, proportionate and sited so that it does not place an intolerable strain on the infrastructure and character of our villages.
After careful discussion of the development options, two public meetings with residents and an opinion poll within Dickleburgh, the Parish Council has reached the following conclusions concerning future housing development.
1. The response to the call for sites has so far produced 13 proposals around the village of Dickleburgh.

2. Currently, the most urgent problem facing Dickleburgh concerns roads. Each of the three road in the centre of the village is already experiencing major traffic problems. It is essential, for reasons of safety to residents and drivers, that these are not exacerbated.
The Street in an extremely narrow road which, in spite of 20mph speed limit (widely ignored by drivers) struggles to cope with traffic, in particular heavy goods vehicles going to and from the Smurfit Kappa depot in Rushall.
Rectory Road, with houses on each side, parked cars and no pedestrian crossing has become very dangerous to pedestrians. Again, lorries from Smurfit Kappa are the main problem.
Harvey Lane, a narrow road on which the school, playground and village centre are situated, has had widely-publicised problems of congestion which will be worsened by a development of 22 houses, currently under construction.

3. The Parish Council is determined that what is already a bad and dangerous traffic situation in Dickleburgh must not be made worse by any new housing development. For this reason, we believe that any future development should take place to the south of the village off the Ipswich Road (GNLP0350 and GNLP0498; if there are problems with those sites, we favour GNLP0498).

4. New houses on that side of the village would provide residents with safe and easy pedestrian access to the village services, without adding to Dickleburgh's traffic problems.

5. We strongly oppose any potential sites that will add to the traffic on the three roads mentioned above. Our opposition includes sites on the Norwich Road to the north of the village. Local experience has shown that drivers will avoid the difficult junction on to the A140 to the north of the village, preferring to use the roundabout to the south. In other words, any Norwich Road development would add to pressure on The Street.

6.. A survey for our proposed Neighbourhood Plan revealed, in addition, that residents on the Rectory Road greatly value the prospect from the village of Dickleburgh Moor, which is being developed as a wildlife site. In other words, development off the Ipswich Road has the added advantage of causing least harm to amenities enjoyed by current residents.

7. Dickleburgh Primary School, of which we are very proud, is now reaching capacity and will have no further potential for expansion.

8. We are also concerned that the village sewage system has limited capacity. There is a risk of flooding to the north of the village.

9. As a more general point, we believe that excessive loading of new houses on to rural villages would be environmentally irresponsible, increasing dependence on cars to drive to work, shop and deliver children to school.

Conclusion
The Parish Council believes that any future plans for housing musty be in proportion to our current population and should not place an intolerable strain on village infrastructure.
Sensible, proportionate development to the south of Dickleburgh will retain the integrity and vitality of our village, while making a positive contribution to the county's housing needs.

See attachments for full details of submission.

These documents are submitted in support of GNLP submission 2145 and 0516 which would eventually connect with one another and demonstrate development feasibility for the first phase of development.