Testun llawn:
Re. Local Plan Preferred Options
I wish to raise the following objections:
Use of Green Belt land generally
In order to use Green Belt land, you must demonstrate that there are exceptional circumstances that require its use. I understand that the demand for thousands of new houses has come from central government and would not, in the normal course of things, be something you would expect to be faced with. However, that in itself does not constitute exceptional circumstances. I would only consider it exceptional if every possible non-green belt area that has been highlighted for possible development had been included in the proposal, and yet there was still insufficient land without using the green belt. As I understand it, this is not the case and there is a considerable area to the south of the town east of the A452, which has not been used, despite being highlighted earlier. I understand that you wish to avoid large development in a particular area, but spreading it out doesn't diminish the size of the development overall.
Convenience does not equal exceptional
Spreading the development does not equal exceptional
Spreading the building contracts does not equal exceptional
I would therefore contend that you have failed to meet the required criteria for Green Belt use.
Milverton Gardens area specifically
* Traffic on Old Milverton Road
This is my main concern. Many children walk, run, scoot and cycle along old Milverton Road on their way to Brookhurst and Trinity Schools. They are forced to the very edge of the pavement by overgrown nettle-infested hedges, which are rarely cut back. With 810 extra houses just north of here, a conservative estimate puts an extra 200 cars on that stretch of road in rush hour. Every day I see children casually step off the pavement to get past others, without looking. This is not hysteria, this is fact: with that many extra cars, someone will be seriously hurt or killed. The result will be that more people from that side of the railway line will drive, putting yet more stress on the congested streets. If you do go ahead with this development, please: cut the hedges back regularly and look at installing railings along the stretch of road between St James Meadow Road and the cut-through.
* The effect on Old Milverton itself
This is a small close-knit community. With hundreds of extra cars going through it every day, new bridges and roads being built to accommodate the changes and a massive new estate on its doorstep, that will change forever. Yes, you have kept a gap, and yes, I am informed by the planning officer who was stationed at Tesco, the new road will go to the North of the village, rather than through it (as shown on the map) but the fact remains that it will become part of a commuter route and a much less attractive place to live. People will move and the traditions of the village, such as its annual show, will be lost.
Overall
You have flexibility built into your plan. You have 1370 "spare" houses and additional areas outside the green belt at your disposal. Please do the right thing, so that future generations can have the pleasure of a walk across the fields, as well as a safe walk to school.