Since then I've had the opportunity to consider the effects of the application in more detail and I have come to the conclusion that the development cannot be supported. I have set out the reasons for my objection in a letter to the planning section at county hall and I have reproduced it in full below:
"I wish to formally register my objection to the planning application PL/5/2012/0437 at High Hesleden. I have registered to speak at the planning committee and I will elaborate there on the reasons for my objection as detailed below:
"I note that the application is for 9 executive
houses on the site of the existing haulage business. This type of housing is not
suitable for this village nor is it affordable to the vast majority of the
people I represent. Further I feel that a development of this scale and nature would
compromise the balance and integrity of the village and would have a
significantly negative impact on its character.
"The infrastructure in the village is not equipped
to cope with further development and I have concerns about increased vehicle
use on narrow undulating roads at Fillpoke Lane and Mickle Hill which are
wholly unsuitable for such increases in traffic. Further I share residents’ concerns
about the drainage system and the increased risk of flooding in an area already
susceptible to accumulated surface water on roads around the development site.
"The National Planning Policy Framework suggests
that sustainable housing development should
normally be approved by the local planning authority. However, I do not accept
that this proposed development can be realistically described as sustainable
because the village of High Hesleden has no shops, schools, faith buildings, community
centres, leisure facilities, health facilities or any significant public
transport system – in short, it has nothing to sustain.
"The development proposal is not in accord with
either the District Local Plan or the Parish Plan, nor is it identified in the
emerging County Durham Plan or the Strategic Housing Land Availability
Assessment (SHLAA) for housing development. It should be noted at this point
that I have begun the process of establishing a Neighbourhood Plan for this
settlement and I am supported in this by the parish council and residents in
the village. I believe that if residents want to see any further development in
High Hesleden it ought to be identified and agreed through the Neighbourhood
Plan process. High Hesleden is a settled community and residents there have the
right to collectively decide the future direction of their village.
"In summary, I am convinced that this is the
wrong type of development, in the wrong location at the wrong time and I strongly
urge the members of the planning committee to recognise my concerns, and those
of the residents of High Hesleden, and refuse consent for this application".
