DRAFT RESPONSE - GNLP Regulation 18 Consultation – New, Revised and Small Sites
Dear XXXX,
Thank you for your recent message and invitation to comment on the latest stage of the development of the GNLP.
These comments are made in addition to our previous response.
GNLP 0475R.
The Parish Council notes this site has been increased by 0.41ha to 2.85 ha, although the purpose and justification for this is not clear. M&CPC remains opposed to the proposed development of this site:
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Local road network capacity. The road network in and around Colton is wholly inadequate for such a development, particularly High House Farm Lane. With very limited public transport, the additional traffic generated by around 50 homes would cause enormous problems. In addition, Colton suffers from severe congestion whenever the nearby section of the A47 is blocked due to breakdowns or road traffic collisions. On several occasions there has been total gridlock when large vehicles have met similar coming from the opposite direction, with no possibility of passing on local narrow rural roads.
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Poor access to services. Colton has a pub and a village hall. For anything else, residents are obliged to travel elsewhere.
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Possible Alteration of settlement boundaries. There have been several attempts to alter or ignore Colton’s long-established settlement boundaries. The most recent attempt was dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate in March 2016.
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Colton’s Parish Plan.Colton’s Parish Plan established practically unanimous opposition to any further development of the village for all of the reasons generally related to housing already identified in the Report. Limited infill within the current boundaries and some additional affordable housing (where some has already been provided) is seen as acceptable.
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Isolation by use.The possible use for “holiday / staff accommodation for Barnham Broom Golf and Country Club” would isolate this development from the rest of the village and contribute nothing to community cohesion. Its distance and remoteness from Barnham Broom Golf & Country Club would necessitate many car journeys, adding to the congestion on narrow rural roads.
GNLP 0476R.
The Parish Council is pleased to note that, despite being reduced by 5.67 ha to 23.67 ha, it is considered unsuitable. The Parish Council remains opposed to development and in addition to the objections noted in our previous response also due to the following:
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Isolation by geography and use.Any residential development of this site, including possible use for “holiday / staff accommodation for Barnham Broom Golf and Country Club” would be isolated from the rest of the village both by geography and use, and contribute nothing to community cohesion. Its distance and remoteness from Barnham Broom Golf & Country Club would also necessitate many car journeys, adding to the congestion on narrow rural roads.
GNLP 0415R-D.
The Parish Council is gravely concerned at the prospect of such a large development so close to Marlingford & Colton. In addition to the loss of higher-grade agricultural land, such a large development in addition to the huge Food Enterprise industrial estate and massive growth of Easton would completely transform a rural area into a suburban one with a serious negative impact upon Marlingford and Colton, as well as adding to the practically continuous ribbon development along the A47 corridor west of Norwich.