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Local plan scoping consultation
Identifying and assessing sites
Respondent: Sarah Thomson
Representation Summary:
The respondent strongly objects to the proposed 291-hectare development around Ashley. They argue that the village lacks essential services such as schools and GP facilities and has poor public transport connections. Concerns are raised regarding narrow rural roads, bridge constraints, increasing traffic levels, congestion, road safety and the ability of existing infrastructure to accommodate significant growth. The respondent believes additional housing would increase risks for pedestrians and other road users. They also cite concerns about the loss of Green Belt land and farmland, impacts on wildlife and heritage assets, and increased flood and pollution risks. They request that the proposal be removed from the Local Plan.
Full text:
Dear Strategic Planning Team,
Whilst I appreciate the Government and councils are under pressure to build new homes,
I strongly object to the 291 -hectare site proposed around Ashley.
This village has no services, such as GP and Schools. This will put additional pressures on
surrounding villages. Transport links are minimal such as buses and trains, making it
poorly connected. Every access road is narrow, windy and crosses a narrow bridge,
making large-scale development completely unworkable. The bridge leading into Hale has
recently had to be reinforced. Is this bridge, along with others in the area going to be
considered safe enough to withstand the present and additional traffic on a long-term
basis. Additional housing, will inevitably come with additional vehicles, and there is often
more than one vehicle per household now-a-days. There is already an increasing amount
of traffic in the area, not only cars, but lorries, coaches and cyclists. There have been tricky
manoeuvres around the Bankhall Lane and Ashley Road junction leading to traffic delays.
Also, vehicles already travel too fast in this area, making it unsafe. There are elderly,
school children, wheelchair users, runners and dog walkers to name a few who use the
footpaths nearby. There have been a few accidents in the area and too many near misses.
My own family have had their own experiences; (a) my own father, who as a pedestrian
came head to head with a speeding car over the recently repaired bridge. Thankfully he
was okay, others may not be so lucky; (b) my mother and sister were in the car driving
back to Hale from Ashley, when they were faced by an on-coming car going round the
corner too fast and on 2 wheels. My parents, who live (redacted) on the Outskirts of
Hale, no longer walk along the footpaths as they feel increasingly unsafe. The traffic also
speeds along Ashley Road, and pulling out Of Madeley Close onto the main road is
becoming increasingly challenging. Additional traffic is only going to add to the increasing
risk to safety. These access road are not suitable, and the associated footpaths are not fit
for purpose or safe for the present population, never mind additional residents.
The land is also protected Green Belt and valuable farmland, and the area includes
sensitive landscapes, wildlife habitats and heritage settings that would be irreversibly
damaged, with a likely increase risk Of flooding and pollution to the Bolin, and surrounding
land.
This proposal is inappropriate, with a risk to life. Consideration needs to be given to the
present infrastructure for the present residents in the surrounding areas before embarking
on any new scheme. I would strongly recommend it is removed from the Local Plan
immediately.
Local plan scoping consultation
Transport and infrastructure
Respondent: Sarah Thomson
Representation Summary:
The respondent strongly objects to the proposed 291-hectare development around Ashley. They argue that the village lacks essential services such as schools and GP facilities and has poor public transport connections. Concerns are raised regarding narrow rural roads, bridge constraints, increasing traffic levels, congestion, road safety and the ability of existing infrastructure to accommodate significant growth. The respondent believes additional housing would increase risks for pedestrians and other road users. They also cite concerns about the loss of Green Belt land and farmland, impacts on wildlife and heritage assets, and increased flood and pollution risks. They request that the proposal be removed from the Local Plan.
Full text:
Dear Strategic Planning Team,
Whilst I appreciate the Government and councils are under pressure to build new homes,
I strongly object to the 291 -hectare site proposed around Ashley.
This village has no services, such as GP and Schools. This will put additional pressures on
surrounding villages. Transport links are minimal such as buses and trains, making it
poorly connected. Every access road is narrow, windy and crosses a narrow bridge,
making large-scale development completely unworkable. The bridge leading into Hale has
recently had to be reinforced. Is this bridge, along with others in the area going to be
considered safe enough to withstand the present and additional traffic on a long-term
basis. Additional housing, will inevitably come with additional vehicles, and there is often
more than one vehicle per household now-a-days. There is already an increasing amount
of traffic in the area, not only cars, but lorries, coaches and cyclists. There have been tricky
manoeuvres around the Bankhall Lane and Ashley Road junction leading to traffic delays.
Also, vehicles already travel too fast in this area, making it unsafe. There are elderly,
school children, wheelchair users, runners and dog walkers to name a few who use the
footpaths nearby. There have been a few accidents in the area and too many near misses.
My own family have had their own experiences; (a) my own father, who as a pedestrian
came head to head with a speeding car over the recently repaired bridge. Thankfully he
was okay, others may not be so lucky; (b) my mother and sister were in the car driving
back to Hale from Ashley, when they were faced by an on-coming car going round the
corner too fast and on 2 wheels. My parents, who live (redacted) on the Outskirts of
Hale, no longer walk along the footpaths as they feel increasingly unsafe. The traffic also
speeds along Ashley Road, and pulling out Of Madeley Close onto the main road is
becoming increasingly challenging. Additional traffic is only going to add to the increasing
risk to safety. These access road are not suitable, and the associated footpaths are not fit
for purpose or safe for the present population, never mind additional residents.
The land is also protected Green Belt and valuable farmland, and the area includes
sensitive landscapes, wildlife habitats and heritage settings that would be irreversibly
damaged, with a likely increase risk Of flooding and pollution to the Bolin, and surrounding
land.
This proposal is inappropriate, with a risk to life. Consideration needs to be given to the
present infrastructure for the present residents in the surrounding areas before embarking
on any new scheme. I would strongly recommend it is removed from the Local Plan
immediately.
Local plan scoping consultation
Respondent: Sarah Thomson
Representation Summary:
The respondent strongly objects to the proposed 291-hectare development around Ashley. They argue that the village lacks essential services such as schools and GP facilities and has poor public transport connections. Concerns are raised regarding narrow rural roads, bridge constraints, increasing traffic levels, congestion, road safety and the ability of existing infrastructure to accommodate significant growth. The respondent believes additional housing would increase risks for pedestrians and other road users. They also cite concerns about the loss of Green Belt land and farmland, impacts on wildlife and heritage assets, and increased flood and pollution risks. They request that the proposal be removed from the Local Plan.
Full text:
Dear Strategic Planning Team,
Whilst I appreciate the Government and councils are under pressure to build new homes,
I strongly object to the 291 -hectare site proposed around Ashley.
This village has no services, such as GP and Schools. This will put additional pressures on
surrounding villages. Transport links are minimal such as buses and trains, making it
poorly connected. Every access road is narrow, windy and crosses a narrow bridge,
making large-scale development completely unworkable. The bridge leading into Hale has
recently had to be reinforced. Is this bridge, along with others in the area going to be
considered safe enough to withstand the present and additional traffic on a long-term
basis. Additional housing, will inevitably come with additional vehicles, and there is often
more than one vehicle per household now-a-days. There is already an increasing amount
of traffic in the area, not only cars, but lorries, coaches and cyclists. There have been tricky
manoeuvres around the Bankhall Lane and Ashley Road junction leading to traffic delays.
Also, vehicles already travel too fast in this area, making it unsafe. There are elderly,
school children, wheelchair users, runners and dog walkers to name a few who use the
footpaths nearby. There have been a few accidents in the area and too many near misses.
My own family have had their own experiences; (a) my own father, who as a pedestrian
came head to head with a speeding car over the recently repaired bridge. Thankfully he
was okay, others may not be so lucky; (b) my mother and sister were in the car driving
back to Hale from Ashley, when they were faced by an on-coming car going round the
corner too fast and on 2 wheels. My parents, who live (redacted) on the Outskirts of
Hale, no longer walk along the footpaths as they feel increasingly unsafe. The traffic also
speeds along Ashley Road, and pulling out Of Madeley Close onto the main road is
becoming increasingly challenging. Additional traffic is only going to add to the increasing
risk to safety. These access road are not suitable, and the associated footpaths are not fit
for purpose or safe for the present population, never mind additional residents.
The land is also protected Green Belt and valuable farmland, and the area includes
sensitive landscapes, wildlife habitats and heritage settings that would be irreversibly
damaged, with a likely increase risk Of flooding and pollution to the Bolin, and surrounding
land.
This proposal is inappropriate, with a risk to life. Consideration needs to be given to the
present infrastructure for the present residents in the surrounding areas before embarking
on any new scheme. I would strongly recommend it is removed from the Local Plan
immediately.
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