Thursday, 6 December 2012
Response to Grantham Southern Quadrant Masterplan
From: CHARMAINE MORGAN <charmaine725@btinternet.com>
To: KarenSinclair <k.sinclair@southkesteven.gov.uk>
Sent: Friday, 7 December 2012, 5:15
Subject: Southern Quadrant Development Masterplan - Feedback Dist Cllr Charmaine Morgan
Given
my previous feedback regarding this development was quite low level and
referred to specific details I believe it remains relvent to this
Public Consultation as well.
4. Grantham Hospital & East Midlands Ambulance Service Provision - Acute Healthcare access
6. Educational and childcare Facilities
Schools
8.6 Hedgerow Protection
8.7 Barford Site Woodland TPO requirement
8.8 Barford site river side footpath - ecology at risk
8.9 Boardwalk - opportunity for communal asset through better access to marsh areas
To: KarenSinclair <k.sinclair@southkesteven.gov.uk>
Sent: Friday, 7 December 2012, 5:15
Subject: Southern Quadrant Development Masterplan - Feedback Dist Cllr Charmaine Morgan
Dear Karen
In response to the Southern Quadrant Develoment Masterplan please find my comments for consideration/inclusion:-
My comments are included below with additional comments in direct relation to the new Masterplan Document
Lincolnshire County Council Street Design plan, which takes into account the Disability Discrimination Act, has not been referred to but is meant to be applied across the County.
2.1 Housing
Relevent Guidance
The Wildlife & Countryside Act - and associated provisions are not referred to.
Disability
Discrimination Act - which defines appropriate street and new building
design is not referred to. This key legislation has far reaching design
impacts on buildings and streetscene and access ways.
Lincolnshire County Council Street Design plan, which takes into account the Disability Discrimination Act, has not been referred to but is meant to be applied across the County.
ISSUE - Development Policy Gap Identified - Street scene SPD - SKDC
Given the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act Street Scene SPDs have become common across local authorities but SKDC does not appear to have such an SPD.
The Governments Document Inclusive Mobility & LCC Streetscape Design Manual should be referred to and are attached for your reference when considering the Masterplan.
These documents should be referred to when considering all new development or improving existing street scene.
An SKDC Street Scene SPD should be provided and would inform the development on our new sites and protect, enhance existing street scenes.
FYI Cllr Martin Wilkins and I have agreed to work together on an initial draft based on the best practises of other councils.
Given the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act Street Scene SPDs have become common across local authorities but SKDC does not appear to have such an SPD.
The Governments Document Inclusive Mobility & LCC Streetscape Design Manual should be referred to and are attached for your reference when considering the Masterplan.
These documents should be referred to when considering all new development or improving existing street scene.
An SKDC Street Scene SPD should be provided and would inform the development on our new sites and protect, enhance existing street scenes.
FYI Cllr Martin Wilkins and I have agreed to work together on an initial draft based on the best practises of other councils.
2. Broad distribution of land uses
2.1 Housing
I
note, despite having made specific reference to this that the Southern
Quadrant still lack any informal play spaces despite the scale of the
development. This does not comply with
relevent Government National Planning Policy regarding sustainable
communities.
KEY
POINT - At the Housing Strategy Workshop this week it was noted there
is a lack of discussion between Housing Solutions Team and Development
Team in SKDC.
A wide range of Council housing should be provided on this site given its size and the shortage of available council houses in Grantham.
A key requirement which came out of the Housing Solutions workshop is that SKDC has a shortage of 1 and 2 bed homes. These are going to become increasingly required in affordable housing when the Government benefit changes affect benefit recipients in underoccupied houses. At present these residents are being charged extra for empty bedrooms but are unable to downgrade.
This should be a consideration in the new Northern and Southern Quadrant developments.
I understand that a budget may become available for new build of Council owned homes. In this case the Southern Quadrant development should include new Council homes as should the Northern Quadrant developments.
A wide range of Council housing should be provided on this site given its size and the shortage of available council houses in Grantham.
A key requirement which came out of the Housing Solutions workshop is that SKDC has a shortage of 1 and 2 bed homes. These are going to become increasingly required in affordable housing when the Government benefit changes affect benefit recipients in underoccupied houses. At present these residents are being charged extra for empty bedrooms but are unable to downgrade.
This should be a consideration in the new Northern and Southern Quadrant developments.
I understand that a budget may become available for new build of Council owned homes. In this case the Southern Quadrant development should include new Council homes as should the Northern Quadrant developments.
3. Meeting Social Need
The development should include a mixture of housing so as to encourage social integration
i.e.
Detached
Semi detached
Terraced housing
Bungalows
Apartment blocks including one bed start up homes for younger people and retired people.
Two and three bed apartments
Sheltered housing accommodation for both the elderly and younger people in need
Given the low average income locally the majority of housing should be "affordable" housing.
There is a lack of planned open recreational space which is not "formal" given the extensive size of the development.
There is a lack of planned open recreational space which is not "formal" given the extensive size of the development.
The
area closest to the
town centre/transport links/new mini hub should include housing for
elderly/less mobile residents to enable access to the town and local
facilities
Medical services should include:-
Doctors surgeries
Dentists
Pharmacy
Other services to include Vets
4. Grantham Hospital & East Midlands Ambulance Service Provision - Acute Healthcare access
Given
the reduce A&E services at Grantham Hospital and lack of Acute
Stroke unit there SKDC should lobby the Commissioning Body to provide
increased services at Grantham Hospital & Ambulance service to meet the needs of the
increased population of Southern and Northern Quadrants including
residents and workers.
5. Service Centre
The mini hub should be of sufficient size as to provide a cross section of facilities to meet the needs of a substantial new community.
The mini hub should be of sufficient size as to provide a cross section of facilities to meet the needs of a substantial new community.
I do not support the idea of a small hub which
is not largely self sufficient. This will lead to an unacceptable
increase in traffic on the roads leading into Grantham, or, out of town
as desperate new residents, facing a long queue on the Bridge End Road,
go elsewhere.
Sustainable development
requires minimal travel for residents to access key facilities and
should minimise ecological impacts as well.
Social needs should also be met through provision of a Community Centre; local pub/s and place/s of worship.
The
plans provided do not appear to allow adequate space to provide
adequate facilities to meet the needs ot the extensive population likely
as a result of the development.
Having completed some research, the Southern Quadrant is the size of a small town.i.e the population of Bourne!
Therefore
all of the
facilities you would expect to see in a town the size of Bourne should
be provided within acceptable distance for ALL residents.
Therefore we should also look at the design which provides a single centralised source of services.
The central mini hub should be split across the area so that more SQ residents can more easily access services?
6. Educational and childcare Facilities
Schools
The schools proposed should each have their own sports fields, and not be expected to share.
The
schools must have adequate parking for parents given in reality
according to the RAC there in an increasing trend toward car ownership
and also there is not guarantee that given the freedom of parents to
send children to ANY school of their choice, that the children attending
will be local.
There should also be, given the size of the
new development, adequate pre-school and after school care provision
i.e. nurserys and after school
clubs/facilities.
There is little or no planned provision for informal recreation for local children/families.
The extensive size of the development should provide additional
facilities for those residents living furthest from existing
parks/recreational facilites.
Recreational facilities in
existing neighbouring parks eg.Dysart Park and the small playing area
near Fircroft should be extended to cater for increased use.
7. Public transport
There
should be good bus services running through out the estate with
frequent services that meet the needs of commuters and people
socialising.
Services into Grantham town centre and the new business development area and Railway Stn should be provided.
Safe Cycle routes should be provided running throughout the housing development AND the business development
8. Ecological
Impact
8.1 General
8.1 General
The Southern Quadrant is located on the edge of one of
the most important local ecological sites and overlaps the River Witham
Corridor.
The Wildlife & Countryside Act requires the proactive management of local wildlife and wildlife habitat.
New DEFRA accreditiation makes the new Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership a required consultee with regard to such an extensive development.
8.2 Bridge Design
It is extremely concerning that the Bridge Design document for the Relief Road states that EVERY design will have environmental impacts.
Because no lower level surveys of ecology and wildlife in these areas has been completed proactively it is not possible to determine at this point how severely they will be affected. Low level surveys are recommended in the High Level Ecological Assessment Document provided for Buckminster Estate.
New DEFRA accreditiation makes the new Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership a required consultee with regard to such an extensive development.
8.2 Bridge Design
It is extremely concerning that the Bridge Design document for the Relief Road states that EVERY design will have environmental impacts.
Because no lower level surveys of ecology and wildlife in these areas has been completed proactively it is not possible to determine at this point how severely they will be affected. Low level surveys are recommended in the High Level Ecological Assessment Document provided for Buckminster Estate.
It
is vital that appropriate low level ecological assessments are
completed BEFORE detailed plans emerge so that environmental impacts and
areas of particular sensitivity are protected from inappropriate
development.
8.3 Drainage
8.3 Drainage
The drainage plans for the site may also put local
wildlife and the River Witham Corridor at risk.
They must also be completed reflecting relevent low/detailed level ecological impact assessments.
8.4 Landscaping - Ecological positive impact opportunity
They must also be completed reflecting relevent low/detailed level ecological impact assessments.
8.4 Landscaping - Ecological positive impact opportunity
The areas earmarked for business use could
provide an opportunity to increase wildlife habitat as can the public
areas of the new housing development.
Landscaping with new native hedgerows rather than fencing, low level native shrubs and
the use of wildflower planting in open green spaces could enhance the existing habitat.
Building these requirements into the Masterplan will help inform developers.
Building these requirements into the Masterplan will help inform developers.
8.5 Buffer Zone
The provision of an increased buffer zone from 20m to 30m (as used near Colsterworth) would create a small woodland edge to existing housing near Fircroft.
The provision of an increased buffer zone from 20m to 30m (as used near Colsterworth) would create a small woodland edge to existing housing near Fircroft.
8.6 Hedgerow Protection
The fragmentation of existing
hedgerows is not acceptable given the protection of rural hedgerows and
the Wildlife Country side act which protects wildlife in non rural
hedgerows.
8.7 Barford Site Woodland TPO requirement
The existing copse should be retained and protected through TPOs.
The existing hedgerow should be protected from gradual degredation over the development cycle of the site.
8.8 Barford site river side footpath - ecology at risk
The provision of a public footpath along the River Witham should not be at the cost of local wildlife or wildlife habitat.
The
existing ribbon habitat is extremely fragile along the River Witham
particularly where it is sandwiched at
the top of the steep river cliff face (unique to the area) and against
the Barford site. A wide concreted footpath here would cause significant
damage and result in the sterilisation of the wildlife in this key
area. It would also result in the loss of trees which screen residents
in Fircroft from the Barford site.
I would recommend a
twisting narrow and naturalised footpath i.e. laide with bark that
meanders between existing trees be provided for recreational use. There
should be no further loss of trees in this area known to have an
extensive range of wildlife which will be listed and sent seperately.
The
Buckminster Estate should reinstate the row of trees removed which
would have provided a natural green corridor through the Barford Site to
Dysart Park.
8.9 Boardwalk - opportunity for communal asset through better access to marsh areas
The area of marshy land
adjacent to the Barford Site along the River Witham could have boardwalk
footpaths to provide a recreational facility whilst
protecting existing habitat and wildlife. An example of this is the
Salt Marsh boardwalk at Gibraltar Point provided by the Lincs Wildlife
Trust.
This area is rich in important flora and
fauna, particularly along the River Witham corridor and neighbouring
woodland, therefore again a detailed ecological assessment should be
completed prior to detailed plans being drawn up.
9.0 Archaeolgy
Roman
ruins exist along the River Witham leading upstream This area has not
been properly explored and an archaelogical assessment should be
completed.
It could be worth investing in "dig" activity which
may identify sufficient remains as to provide an educational/leisure
attraction.
Any work should take into consideration the sensitivity of the area from an ecological perspective.
10 Business Park
The business park development should be supported by
public transport links as well as car links to enable a cross section of local people to be employed there.
The
development should be attractive and reflect the historical and
Victorian industrial past of Grantham - a meld of old and new.
Learning
from other business parks it should contain points of interest e.g.
public art and landscaped areas, which enable businesses to both work
there and attract their customers to the site.
The
business park can be landscaped with trees, bushes and hedgerows which
both support local wildlife and provide a rich and pleasant environment
for people to work. Learning from the former Barford Site employers the
business park is large enough to sustain recreational green
landscapednopen space/s for workers ie. park with benches/fountain etc
to enable workers to enjoy short breaks in the open air.
The business park
should include recreational facilities for workers alongside the
provision of key services i.e. food supplies/cafe and a small mini store
to prevent the need to travel into town during short break periods
which will have a significant impact on the towns traffic with minimum
benefit to the town's economy.
Barford Site War Memorial
The Barford Site houses the Barford Aveling War Memorial representing the lives of people who worked on site and lost their lives both on site and in action.
The Barford Site houses the Barford Aveling War Memorial representing the lives of people who worked on site and lost their lives both on site and in action.
I
believe this memorial should be in a safe prominent position within any
development on the Barford Site and ideally include the remaining
original wall housing it.
A mixture of business units should be available including small start-up units available at low rent to
large units for established firms and light to heavy industry.
Unattractive warehouse style business units should be avoided.
Businesses
need to attract new customers and the design of buildings in the
buisness park should reflect the potential mixed use of the site.
The
provision of a core infrastructure and maintenance of that will provide
employment itself in addition to that provided by the individual
businesses.
11. Road design/Houghton Road impact
I suggest the Barford Site has an exit which avoids Houghton Road but joins up instead with the road network of the new business development -provided this can be achieved without fragmenting existing woodland or minimal fragmentation. This will improve the quality of life for Houghton Rd residents.
I suggest the Barford Site has an exit which avoids Houghton Road but joins up instead with the road network of the new business development -provided this can be achieved without fragmenting existing woodland or minimal fragmentation. This will improve the quality of life for Houghton Rd residents.
It
should not be assumed that existing areas designated for business
development are not of ecological interest. The
Barford Site runs parallel to the River Witham and attracts a
significant number of different species including bats, owls, badgers,
fresh water crayfish and osprey and great crested newts have been seen
in the ponds on site.
Much of the area
earmarked for business development is surrounded by woodland which will
result in wildlife using neighbouring land as well.
Therefore
detailed ecological assessments must be completed prior to detailed
plans being drawn up to identify the ecological "hotspots".
12 Building standards
All
homes and units should be built, according the to requirements of the
Core Strategy with the latest environmentally friendly technologies
including ground source ground pumps and solar and wind power.
New homes and business buildings should include the latest water re-use/capture technologies.
All roads should be built to
adoptable standards to minimise issues with road adoption further down the line.
13 Allotments
The provision of allotments is welcome.
The allotment sites must be:
a. maintained by SKDC to prevent issues of poor management which have emerged at almost all local allotments
b. secure
c. serviced with water
d. located throughout the area given the extensive size of the development
e. with parking facilities
14 Flood risk
Residents in Bridge End Road have raised concerns at the increased flood risk if the Southern Quadran hill is built over.
There
is considerable concern that Flood Management initiatives may have a
signficant negative impact on the wildlife of the River Witham Corridor.
No flood management work should be undertaken/planned prior to detailed ecological assessments and the approval of Natural
England.
15 Traffic density
Local
residents in St Annes Ward are particularly concerned that the impact of
the SQ development will result in a signficant increase in local
traffic if adequate services are not provided to make the area self
sufficient to a degree.
Whilst recognising the need to support
Granthams economy a careful balance is required and residents believe
inadequate services are currently proposed.
The proposed site is NOT the equivalent of a small village. It is the equivalent of a small town.
The
level of traffic along local roads e.g. Harrowby Road/St Vincents
Rd/Harrowby Lane could increase signficantly if there are delays on
Bridge End Road and drivers seek alternative short cuts.
It is not felt that the by=pass will adequately mitigate against this.
Measures need to be considered to prevent the over use/misuse of local
residential roads
Cars
Given the
likely increase in car use residents should be provided with adequate
parking facilities to reflect the number of bedrooms in each house.
16 Gardens
Garden
plots should be of adequate size as to meet the requirements of the
Core Strategy and Government planning policy which require adequate
space for the recreational use of children.
They should also be of sufficient size as to enable landscaping including trees to be provided.
They should also be of sufficient size as to enable landscaping including trees to be provided.
17 Overall Character
Grantham is a historic town with a mixture of stone and brick buildings.
A medieval town, the biggest expansion occured during the Victorian era.
Grantham has a majority of homes no greater than 3 storeys.
It
is recommended that the new developments reflect Grantham's historic
past (and that of other neighbouring villages) whilst including the
latest
technologies to reduce living costs and minimise ecological impact.
18 Ponds
Ponds
near the River Witham are proposed, however given potential drainage
issues I recommend the consideration of public ponds in other areas
further uphill both providing a diverse ecological habitat and
recreational facility. An example of this exists on the neighbouring
David Eatch Estate.
19 Impact on Local Traffic
An
impact analysis on local routes should be completed in relation to the
development and local roads and signs should be re-designed and upgraded
accordingly.
Please note the Labour Group did
not support this development which we believe will have a
disproportionate impact on Grantham and which is required as a result of
SKDC policy which has made Grantham the main growth point for the
district whilst providing minimal growth in the rural
areas.
However given the Southern Quadrant
development was approved by Full Council in August 2011 these comments
reflect my desire to make a positive contribution as far as possible
given the proposal is set to proceed.
Our concerns, which reflect comments from many local people centre around
a. the traffic impact
b. environmental impact
c. lack of commitment to a high percentage of council/affordable housing
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Southern Quadrant Development Response 2012
South Kesteven District Council held a public consultation to gauge public opinion regarding the proposals for a new Southern Quadrant Development in Grantham.
The following feedback is my personal e-mail response to the Council's Business Development Team:-
The following feedback is my personal e-mail response to the Council's Business Development Team:-
Social Need
The development should include a mixture of housing so as to encourage social integration
i.e.
Detached
Semi detached
Terraced housing
Bungalows
Apartment blocks including one bed start up homes for younger people and retired people.
Two and three bed apartments
Sheltered housing accommodation for both the elderly and younger people in need
Given the low average income locally the majority of housing should be "affordable" housing.
The
area closest to the
town centre/transport links/new mini hub should include housing for
elderly/less mobile residents to enable access to the town and local
facilities
Medical services should include:-
Doctors surgeries
Dentists
Pharmacy
Other services to include Vets
Given
the reduce A&E services at Grantham Hospital and lack of Acute
Stroke unit there SKDC should lobby the Commissioning Body to provide
increased services at Grantham Hospital to meet the needs of the
increased population of Southern and Northern Quadrants including
residents and workers.
A wide range of
Council housing should be provided on this site given its size and the
shortage of available council houses in Grantham.
The mini hub should be of sufficient size as to provide a cross section of facilities to meet the needs of a substantial
new community.
I do not support the idea of a small hub which
is not largely self sufficient. This will lead to an unacceptable
increase in traffic on the roads leading into Grantham, or, out of town
as desperate new residents, facing a long queue on the Bridge End Road,
go elsewhere.
Sustainable development
requires minimal travel for residents to access key facilities and
should minimise ecological impacts as well.
Social needs should also be met through provision of a Community Centre; local pub/s and place/s of worship.
The
plans provided do not appear to allow adequate space to provide
adequate facilities to meet the needs ot the extensive population likely
as a result of the development.
Having completed some research, the Southern Quadrant is the size of a small town.i.e the population of Bourne!
Therefore
all of the
facilities you would expect to see in a town the size of Bourne should
be provided within acceptable distance for ALL residents.
Therefore we should also look at the design which provides a single centralised source of services.
The central mini hub should be split across the area so that more SQ residents can more easily access services?
The schools proposed should each have their own sports fields, and not be expected to share.
The
schools must have adequate parking for parents given in reality
according to the RAC there in an increasing trend toward car ownership
and also there is not guarantee that given the freedom of parents to
send children to ANY school of their choice, that the children attending
will be local.
There should also be, given the size of the
new development, adequate pre-school and after school care provision
i.e. nurserys and after school
clubs/facilities.
There is little or no planned provision for informal recreation for local children/families.
The extensive size of the development should provide additional
facilities for those residents living furthest from existing
parks/recreational facilites.
Recreational facilities in
existing neighbouring parks eg.Dysart Park and the small playing area
near Fircroft should be extended to cater for increased use.
Public transport
There
should be good bus services running through out the estate with
frequent services that meet the needs of commuters and people
socialising.
Services into Grantham town centre and the new business development area and Railway Stn should be provided.
Safe Cycle routes should be provided running throughout the housing development AND the business development
Ecological
Impact
The Southern Quadrant is located on the edge of one of
the most important local ecological sites and overlaps the River Witham
Corridor.
The Wildlife & Countryside Act requires the proactive management of local wildlife and wildlife habitat.
It
is vital that appropriate low level ecological assessments are
completed BEFORE detailed plans emerge so that environmental impacts and
areas of particular sensitivity are protected from inappropriate
development.
The drainage plans for the site also put local
wildlife and the River Witham Corridor at risk. They must also be
completed reflecting relevent low/detailed level ecological impact
assessments.
The areas earmarked for business use could
provide an opportunity to increase wildlife habitat as can the public
areas of the new housing development.
Landscaping with new native hedgerows rather than fencing, low level native shrubs and
the use of wildflower planting in open green spaces could enhance the existing habitat.
The
provision of an increased buffer zone from 20m to 30m (as used near
Colsterworth) would create a small woodland edge to existing housing
near Fircroft.
The fragmentation of existing
hedgerows is not acceptable given the protection of rural hedgerows and
the Wildlife Country side act which protects wildlife in non rural
hedgerows.
The existing copse should be retained and protected through TPOs.
The existing hedgerow should be protected from gradual degredation over the development cycle of the site.
The provision of a public footpath along the River Witham should not be at the cost of local wildlife or wildlife habitat.
The
existing ribbon habitat is extremely fragile along the River Witham
particularly where it is sandwiched at
the top of the steep river cliff face (unique to the area) and against
the Barford site. A wide concreted footpath here would cause significant
damage and result in the sterilisation of the wildlife in this key
area. It would also result in the loss of trees which screen residents
in Fircroft from the Barford site.
I would recommend a
twisting narrow and naturalised footpath i.e. laide with bark that
meanders between existing trees be provided for recreational use. There
should be no further loss of trees in this area known to have an
extensive range of wildlife which will be listed and sent seperately.
The
Buckminster Estate should reinstate the row of trees removed which
would have provided a natural green corridor through the Barford Site to
Dysart Park.
The area of marshy land
adjacent to the Barford Site along the River Witham could have boardwalk
footpaths to provide a recreational facility whilst
protecting existing habitat and wildlife. An example of this is the
Salt Marsh boardwalk at Gibraltar Point provided by the Lincs Wildlife
Trust.
This area is rich in important flora and
fauna, particularly along the River Witham corridor and neighbouring
woodland, therefore again a detailed ecological assessment should be
completed prior to detailed plans being drawn up.
Archaeolgy
Roman
ruins exist along the River Witham leading upstream This area has not
been properly explored and an archaelogical assessment should be
completed.
It could be worth investing in "dig" activity which
may identify sufficient remains as to provide an educational/leisure
attraction.
Any work should take into consideration the sensitivity of the area from an ecological perspective.
Business Park
The business park development should be supported by
public transport links as well as car links to enable a cross section of local people to be employed there.
The
development should be attractive and reflect the historical and
Victorian industrial past of Grantham - a meld of old and new.
Learning
from other business parks it should contain points of interest e.g.
public art and landscaped areas, which enable businesses to both work
there and attract their customers to the site.
The
business park can be landscaped with trees, bushes and hedgerows which
both support local wildlife and provide a rich and pleasant environment
for people to work. Learning from the former Barford Site employers the
business park is large enough to sustain recreational green
landscapednopen space/s for workers ie. park with benches/fountain etc
to enable workers to enjoy short breaks in the open air.
The Barford Site houses the Barford
Aveling War Memorial representing the lives of people who worked on site and lost their lives both on site and in action.
I
believe this memorial should be in a safe prominent position within any
development on the Barford Site and ideally include the remaining
original wall housing it.
The business park
should include recreational facilities for workers alongside the
provision of key services i.e. food supplies/cafe and a small mini store
to prevent the need to travel into town during short break periods
which will have a significant impact on the towns traffic with minimum
benefit to the town's economy.
I suggest the
Council runs its own not for profit Business Enterprise Park to offer
low cost start up business units at attractive and sustainable rents.
A mixture of business units should be available including small start-up units available at low rent to
large units for established firms and light to heavy industry.
Unattractive warehouse style business units should be avoided.
Businesses
need to attract new customers and the design of buildings in the
buisness park should reflect the potential mixed use of the site.
The
provision of a core infrastructure and maintenance of that will provide
employment itself in addition to that provided by the individual
businesses.
I suggest the Barford Site has an
exit which avoids Houghton Road but joins up instead with the road
network of the new business development -provided this can be achieved
without fragmenting existing woodland or minimal fragmentation. This
will improve the quality of life for Houghton Rd residents.
It
should not be assumed that existing areas designated for business
development are not of ecological interest. The
Barford Site runs parallel to the River Witham and attracts a
significant number of different species including bats, owls, badgers,
fresh water crayfish and osprey and great crested newts have been seen
in the ponds on site.
Much of the area
earmarked for business development is surrounded by woodland which will
result in wildlife using neighbouring land as well.
Therefore
detailed ecological assessments must be completed prior to detailed
plans being drawn up to identify the ecological "hotspots".
Building standards
All
homes and units should be built, according the to requirements of the
Core Strategy with the latest environmentally friendly technologies
including ground source ground pumps and solar and wind power.
New homes and business buildings should include the latest water re-use/capture technologies.
All roads should be built to
adoptable standards to minimise issues with road adoption further down the line.
Allotments
The provision of allotments is welcome.
The allotment sites must be:
a. maintained by SKDC to prevent issues of poor management which have emerged at almost all local allotments
b. secure
c. serviced with water
d. located throughout the area given the extensive size of the development
e. with parking facilities
Flood risk
Residents in Bridge End Road have raised concerns at the increased flood risk if the Southern Quadran hill is built over.
There
is considerable concern that Flood Management initiatives may have a
signficant negative impact on the wildlife of the River Witham Corridor.
No flood management work should be undertaken/planned prior to detailed ecological assessments and the approval of Natural
England.
Traffic density
Local
residents in St Annes Ward are particularly concerned that the impact of
the SQ development will result in a signficant increase in local
traffic if adequate services are not provided to make the area self
sufficient to a degree.
Whilst recognising the need to support
Granthams economy a careful balance is required and residents believe
inadequate services are currently proposed.
The proposed site is NOT the equivalent of a small village. It is the equivalent of a small town.
The
level of traffic along local roads e.g. Harrowby Road/St Vincents
Rd/Harrowby Lane could increase signficantly if there are delays on
Bridge End Road and drivers seek alternative short cuts.
It is not felt that the by=pass will adequately mitigate against this.
Measures need to be considered to prevent the over use/misuse of local
residential roads
Cars
Given the
likely increase in car use residents should be provided with adequate
parking facilities to reflect the number of bedrooms in each house.
Gardens
Garden
plots should be of adequate size as to meet the requirements of the
Core Strategy and Government planning policy which require adequate
space for the recreational use of children. They should also be of
sufficient size as to enable landscaping including trees to be provided.
Character
Grantham is a historic town with a mixture of stone and brick buildings.
A medieval town, the biggest expansion occured during the Victorian era.
Grantham has a majority of homes no greater than 3 storeys.
It
is recommended that the new developments reflect Grantham's historic
past (and that of other neighbouring villages) whilst including the
latest
technologies to reduce living costs and minimise ecological impact.
Ponds
Ponds
near the River Witham are proposed, however given potential drainage
issues I recommend the consideration of public ponds in other areas
further uphill both providing a diverse ecological habitat and
recreational facility. An example of this exists on the neighbouring
David Eatch Estate.
Local Traffic
An
impact analysis on local routes should be completed in relation to the
development and local roads and signs should be re-designed and upgraded
accordingly.
Please note the Labour Group did
not support this development which we believe will have a
disproportionate impact on Grantham and which is required as a result of
SKDC policy which has made Grantham the main growth point for the
district whilst providing minimal growth in the rural
areas.
However given the Southern Quadrant
development was approved by Full Council in August 2011 these comments
reflect my desire to make a positive contribution as far as possible
given the proposal is set to proceed.
Our concerns, which reflect comments from many local people centre around
a. the traffic impact
b. environmental impact
c. lack of commitment to a high percentage of council/affordable housing
District Councillor Charmaine Morgan
St Anne's Ward
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Shirley Croft Development - Success in Planning Committee
Local residents from St Vincents Road and Croft Drive sighed with relief when our arguments to halt the over bearing new development proposed for the old Shirley Croft sit were accepted by the Development Control Commitee. As a result they voted to REJECT the proposed plans.
It was a missed opportunity for the developer from whom residents were willing to accept a less substantial development. Residents accepted the taller houses facing onto Harrowby Road but were asking that houses backing onto their gardens (Plots 5-8) should be single storey bungalows and not the 2/3 storey buildings planned which would have been overbearing and cause issues with light and overlooking for some residents.
The developer has a few options now and we will need to monitor to see what happens next.
They may go to appeal
They may revisit their plans and submit a new development application
They may sell the plot as it is
They may do nothing.
Monday, 6 February 2012
Conserving Grantham opposes the loss of St Catherines
Conserving Grantham members are campaigning to save St Catherines House, St Catherines Road which now faces the same fate as the Shirley Croft Hotel. McCarthy and Stone are planning a 44 apartment block on the site of St Catherines should their proposed demolition go ahead.
We are concerned not only at the loss of yet another landmark building in the area, but also the loss of significant hedgerow which borders the house and is over 150 years old. The new proposals will transform the streetscene. St Catherines Road will be in the heart of the new Conservation Area should plans go ahead.
The application is due to be heard at February 2012 Development Control Committee Meeting. I will be stepping down from my usual role on the committee in order to join Dudley Road residents as they campaign for St Catherines.
Croft Drive and St Vincents residents oppose plans for Shirley Croft site
I have been working with Croft Drive residents to oppose development plans for the former Shirley Croft Hotel site which are considered too intensive.
The plans (S11/2065) were originally rejected in full by the Development Control Committee in October 2011 who proposed the provision of single storey houses to the rear of the development to address overlooking and loss of light issues from nearby residents.
St Annes Conservation Area Application
Conserving Grantham has submitted proposals to South Kesteven District Council for a new St Annes Conservation Area in a bid to protect local heritage and natural environment. The application was the end result after alot of hard work with fellow campaigners Anne Gayfer, Alice Brown and Marilyn Campbell.
The Journal covered our story.
The Journal covered our story.
Monday, 16 January 2012
Lincolnshire County Council Cut Services to Children
According to their own Newsletter Lincolnshire County Council are cutting budgets of 20 local projects to aid children in Lincolnshire. They have asked South Kesteven District Councillors our views on their strategy.
In a bid to tackle Child Poverty, they plan to funnel resources into only a few households which are deemed to have "complex" needs. These households will have children with no working parents and it is planned to provide a co-ordinated, targeted approach to care.
The proposals can be viewed on South Kesteven District Council's Community Policy Development Group website:
It seems to me that the only way to tackle Poverty is to increase income. This will be through employment or supporting benefits.
The Government cutting the benefits and an economic policy which is reducing available jobs for local families will undermine any plans of Lincolnshire County Council.
My view that it is also wrong to only target households with "complex" needs and no workers, when so many children live in poverty within homes with one or more working parents who are struggling to get by on a minimum wage, was shared with others at our Grantham Labour Branch AGM last week.
District Councillors have been asked their views on proposals by 31 January and I have asked some key local organisations for their views before submitting a response. Your views are also welcome.
Please contact me on 01476 574748 if you would like to know more about the Consultation.
St Annes Ward Conservation Area Application Submitted
After the loss of Shirley Croft Hotel a number of us got together and agreed that a more proactive position is needed to save our local heritage. As a result of further discussions with English Heritage and the Victorian Society, and, supported by local historian Malcolm Knapp - Grantham Conservation Society and Courtnay Finn - Grantham Civic Trust a new active Conservation Group has been set up.
Any local residents interested in actively protecting our natural and built heritage are welcome to join us. Conserving Grantham members have drafted the St Annes Ward Conservation Area Application which has been submitted to South Kesteven District Council, in our first bid to protect local landmarks and streetscenes. The bid includes the hill from the Hills and Hollow across to Somerby Hill, the Victorian housing of the industrial era in St Catherines Road, Harrowby Road, Dudley Road, Bridge End Road, London Road (parade of shops), the Universities Square block including College St and Oxford St.
The Earl of Dysart houses in Houghton Rd, Albert St and Edward St are also included.
We have included Wyndham Park and Dysart Parks and the walkway along the River Witham.
For full details of our application please feel free to contact me.
A six week public consultation period will take place once the council have reviewed the application.
Any local residents interested in actively protecting our natural and built heritage are welcome to join us. Conserving Grantham members have drafted the St Annes Ward Conservation Area Application which has been submitted to South Kesteven District Council, in our first bid to protect local landmarks and streetscenes. The bid includes the hill from the Hills and Hollow across to Somerby Hill, the Victorian housing of the industrial era in St Catherines Road, Harrowby Road, Dudley Road, Bridge End Road, London Road (parade of shops), the Universities Square block including College St and Oxford St.
The Earl of Dysart houses in Houghton Rd, Albert St and Edward St are also included.
We have included Wyndham Park and Dysart Parks and the walkway along the River Witham.
For full details of our application please feel free to contact me.
A six week public consultation period will take place once the council have reviewed the application.
Friday, 6 January 2012
Planning Applications - How to object/comment
As a member of the Development Control Committee I receive a number of requests regarding what can be done in the event that a planning application affects someone and they want to make a comment or object.
Here are some general guidelines. I will be happy to assist you should you require it. Please contact me for advice and support.
The following are considered
valid material planning considerations:-
- design/visual impact
- privacy/loss of daylight
- noise;smell pollution
- access/traffic
- health
- ecology & landscape
- crime
- economic impact
- cumulative impact i.e. where one or more impacts create an overall impact which is not acceptable
- personal factors (rarely used)
- sustainable materials
- internal standards
- overlooking private space
- need - in some cases
The following are not considered material
considerations
- the applicant - whoever they are e.g should not matter if it is the queen or dustman making the application
- land ownership - you do not need to own land to apply for planning permission
- private right e.g. access
- restrictive covenants
- property value - loss of property value is not a consideration
- competition
- loss of view
- moral issues - usually applies to licensing
- numbers of people objecting - the number is not material but what people are saying could be
- change from previous scheme
It is possible to submit your views by
a. email
directly to the planning officer in charge of the case,
b via the SKDC website
link where you may "Search for a case"
On this website you can view the plans for the application.
Tthere is a statement in
blue
Comment on this
application
This is where you may submit your
comments/objections
You will receive a confirming email if a submission
is made.
IMPORTANT: Not all Planning Applications automatically go to Development Control Committee.
Many smaller applications are decided by Planning Officers, unless any objections are received
If you raise an objection to a plan, at the Senior Planning Officers discretion, you may request that an application goes before the Development Control Committee. It is important to ensure your request is supported with relevent material planning concerns, as listed above.
If you do not have internet access you may write to the Planning Officer with any objections.
You may arrange a meeting to view the plans at The Guildhall, St Peters Hill, Grantham by calling the Planning Team on 01476 406080.
Speaking at the
Meeting
If you wish to speak on the
day you need to contact Development Control Committee Officer Malcolm Hall
ideally at least 2 days before the meeting and preferably beforehand via email on m.hall@southkesteven.gov.uk
or call 01476 406080.
Malcolm will arrange for your speaker to be added to the
agenda and the Chair notified.
Each speaker has 3 minutes.
Once you have spoken you may be asked to leave the Council Chamber.
Supporting evidence e.g. photos of the
site/powerpoint presentations may be used.
IMPORTANT: If the outcome of the meeting at which you speak is that the case is Deferred for further action you will NOT be able to speak again at any future meeting.
Contacting Committee
Members
You may also chose to submit concerns directly to
the committee members prior to the meeting as some campaigners do.
They should read/listen to your point of view but
will not confirm their position unless they have chosen not to vote.
All committee members, including myself, must keep
an open mind on the day looking at all evidence to avoid predetermining the
case.
If you do want to contact committee members you can view the current members via the SKDC website.
Doing so has the advantage that your own
words will be visible to them, otherwise they are summarised by the
planning officer at/before the meeting in a report.
I do hope this helps give
you all your options.
Further Help
If you need any further
assistance with the planning application process please do not hesitate to
contact me on 01476 574748 or email charmaine725@btinternet.com
or the Planning Team on 01476 406080.
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