Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I would, once again, wish to object to the proposal to include AS1 within the NHDC Local Plan. I wish to support all the points which have been put forward forcefully by the Ashwell Parish Council but would like to vigorously stress the following.

AS1 fundamentally fails to meet the requirements to provide highway safety for both pedestrians and road users alike. Vehicular access to the site will provide both difficult and dangerous, with limited sight lines and acute access onto a narrow and steeply declining road only yards within the 30MPH speed limit.

No pedestrian access from the site down Claybush Hill is currently available. Any proposed footpath would be both narrow (without encroaching onto an already narrow lane) and unrealistically steep which in combination would make it totally unsuitable for wheelchair or any disabled access. Furthermore Claybush Hill already terminates in a complex and blind T-Junction opposite the local school which at peak times becomes heavily congested.

The proposed pedestrian access, via the unmade and unadopted Ashwell Street would terminate in 19 steps before joining the Bear Lane route into the village, again totally unsuitable for disabled access. Moreover the proposed access would involve crossing a complex junction of four roads.

Furthermore NHDC has failed to consider the alternative sites which have been volunteered for consideration by the Ashwell Parish Council thus demonstrating an arrogant disregard for local democracy.

I strongly object to the continued proposal to develop the Claybush Hill site.