Martley Parish Council
Clerk: S.Williams Tel: 01299 832949
E-mail: sally@mamble.org
8, The Beeches,
Mamble,
Worcestershire,
DY14 9PD
Summary
For the following reasons the Parish Council objects to the outline planning application, in a bid to seek a refusal.
Report
Many villagers appreciate and expect some growth of the village and welcome the opportunity for the younger generation to have houses in the village, including affordable housing.
We would request an opportunity to discuss any issues with the planning authority if the opportunity arose. The general feeling of the village is very much against this size of development on this site.
We would also like to note that the 21 day consultation period fell over Christmas when Malvern Hills District Council’s offices were closed. Some of the information on the web site was not accessible, i.e. reports and some of the information on the web site was incorrect such as the agent’s name.
Policy
The scheme is contrary to existing planning policy for an area of Greater Landscape Value (QL24) and sits outside the settlement area for Martley.
The proposed site is a ‘greenfield site’ and has an agricultural value, being used to farm and provide more intensive market gardening produce.
It is not a scheduled brown field site and is outside the current development area and sits along side the current conservation area.
Both of these functional boundaries are very clear in containing and controlling development on this part of the village to ensure that the geological importance, the landscape value and the general open views of the village at this point are not changed or damaged by progressive and gross development, similar to what is being proposed.
The SWJCS was drafted a number of years ago. The economic downturn of the last two years must have had a bearing on this strategy. Whilst the Parish Council are in general agreement of some development being needed preference would be for a phased approach, i.e. progressive organic growth as suitable sites become available rather than an approach of ‘bulk’ development in one area of the village.
Local housing needs only confirm a small number of housing required, at affordable level and NOT the large number in this application.
Transport
Private transport by car usually has to use either over worked primary routes (queues to river crossing, etc) or narrow country lanes already becoming “rat runs” for commuter traffic with increased danger. Many routes have weight restrictions reducing delivery capacity for new homes.
After work and weekend transport is very spasmodic with no funding to improve, therefore increasing necessity for private transport use, contrary to government green policies.
Environment
Light pollution - from new dwellings affecting other housing and general effect on village scene.
Noise pollution – Housing in “bowl” will amplify any sound and create disturbance. This area of Martley is noted for being a natural “sound box”.
Local housing needs
Survey completed by Martley Parish Council and more recently local authority agencies confirmed local housing needs for affordable housing to be substantially less than proposals. Local employment is not extensive and the range of employment is limited meaning most new owners must travel outside of village or locality. “Work to live” units have been proved to be only very limited in their take up, only reverting to houses in most circumstances.
The quantity and mix of housing not consistent with reports.
Safety
No established pedestrian routes are proposed and pedestrian risk will be increased by the new proposals. Alternative pedestrian access points via pub car park and past working garage workshop are unsafe.
Local attitude
The alteration of the landscape and change of the village concept to “suburb or town” is not in the interest of the village and will affect the balance of village life.
The concept of a smaller amount of affordable housing (some 6 units) supported in part by some additional (general housing need) properties to cover development costs would be much more acceptable to villagers, with a REAL BALANCED development benefiting the local community requirements, not providing speculative housing based on unsustainable ‘model growth’ to award one specific developer, on an area unsuitable for gross development.
The introduction of a further 83 houses will potentially increase the population of the whole village by 20% and the population of the centre of the village by 35 - 40%.
Design
Although only an “outline application” the additional plans show a detailed concept that includes features that are not felt to be equitable or in the village’s interest:
1) Terraced housing (affordable units) in long urban rows – not suited to village aesthetic.
2) Doctor’s surgery (new) sited away from many retired and elderly groups (existing surgery is near Heaton House and retirement dwellings). Car parking is limited to 4 cars – i.e. nurse, doctor + 2 for patients only (not enough spaces).
3) Village “space” is unwanted, will be un serviced and will become more building land in the future!
4) Mix of housing particularly large number of 5 bed roomed houses is not designed for ‘local’ sale.
5) Plans show The Crown Public House extended as well – Is this in the overall plan? This affects the car parking regime and has further implications on the open space from the corner of the existing car park to The Crown, an existing open landscape respecting the village scene.
Foot path routes on the new outline plan are not as marked on the existing designated footpath plans.
Natural history, setting and geology
The area is part of an important geological area, an area of great landscape value and provides visual background for the centre of the village. The natural setting and visual link between the village and the countryside is critical and will be lost if this open site is developed to this extent, enclosing this section of the village.
Sustainability
A major increase in housing numbers with no local workplace and poor public communications will add pressure on any policy relating to sustainable development.
Even if individual houses can be designed to new energy standards the lack of infrastructure will not promote any “green environmental policies” as travel will be essential to maintain these homes and sustainability is a fundamental requirement of the core strategy.
Martley Parish Council
19th January 2010