21-Oct-2018
To Planning Inspectorate, sent by email.
Dear Sir
COUNCIL REFERENCE: CB/17/04108/OUT
Appeal Reference: APP/P0240/W/18/3211493
COMMENTS
I note that the appellant's community amenity area as defined in the supplied document is actually the community amenity area from another developer's site. This is the other developer's intention but it is not yet in any case supplied. I note that the appellant's schools parcel plan as defined in the supplied document is actually the schools parcel plan from another developer's site. This is the other developer's intention but it is not yet in any case supplied.
The Thorn Road Highway does not belong to HRN2 developers or to the appellant.
With the HRN2 scheme, Thorn Road near the appellant's site entrance is intended to be re-modelled. See sketch map http://bit.ly/2EKirGq
Thorn Road is not yet re-modelled. The Inspector must give weight to the fact that events may occur and the remodelling may not happen. Re-modelling the road is outside the scope of the appellant.
Highways Safety
Poor lighting on Thorn Road, Lack of footpaths, and lack of cycleways on Thorn Road.
The Inspector is invited to walk between the appellant site, turn right into Bedford Road and proceed to the 40mph sign in Bedford Road where the footpath starts, and back again, to gauge how safe this route is at the present time. He is also invited to try riding the route on a bicycle. If possible the Inspector should do all this on a dark night.
Provided Highways safety measures are placed adjoining the appellant's site some highways objections may be overcome. This might include all of these 7 items listed below (refers to Figure 1):
1. A 20mph limit is placed on the road between A and B
2. A 7.5-ton lorry weight is placed on the road, at least between A and B.
3. 3.1 Provide a footway/cycle path along the southern side of Thorn Rd, at least B to A, but ideally from B to A and all along Thorn Road to its junction with Bedford Rd.
3.2 A controlled crossing then needs to be provided at Bedford Rd near Thorn Rd as this road is currently national speed limit.
3.3 A further footpath/cycle path needs to be provided from that crossing to a point 1/10th of a mile to the south where a footpath already exists.
All this is required to assist in the safe passage of children to school. They would not be able to use footpaths over former fields as at present those footpaths were closed from 1st October 2018 due to developments for HRN2 - see notices http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/Images/bidwell-site-notice_tcm3-30322.pdf.
Those HRN2 developments may falter for years and until those footpath routes are actually available, any children from the appellant's site would face a hazardous journey by bicycle or on foot, so the appellant's application is premature.
4. Provide raised tables at entry points A and B, and at the site entry point.
5. Erect and maintain solar-powered speed awareness signs between A and B at suitable places in consultation with the Highways Officers at CBC.
6. Provide good lighting all along the Thorn Road from the appellant's site and as far up Bedford Rd as the Inspector feels necessary to enhance public safety, all to be agreed with the Local highways authority
7. Only if all of the above are provided at the expense of the appellant, then I feel Highway's objections can be overcome.
The appellant argues that "HRN2 brings with it a local centre, a school, and an area allocated for employment, footpaths, open space and a bus service which will ensure the site is sustainable. These facilities and services will be provided within easy walking distance of the appeal site. Thus the appeal site would not be isolated as alleged by the Local Planning Authority."
It must be noted that none of these facilities exist at present. Outline plans for these items is approved, the details of them are not yet announced in any reserved matters planning applications. Since the HRN2 scheme may falter for any reason, and at any time, the appellant's application is premature.
Regards,
etc.
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