Object

Revised Development Strategy

Representation ID: 53423

Received: 24/07/2013

Respondent: mrs joyce ludlow

Representation Summary:

Lapworth should not be deemed a major service provider category 1 village.

The development of up to 150 new dwelling (An increase of 25 to 30% ) is disproportionate to the size of the village and will considerably alter the nature and character of the community.

Full text:

I wish to object to the categorisation of Lapworth(or is it Kingswood) as a category 1 major service provider village for the following reasons:
1.It is served by only infrequent and limited public transport.
2. The nearest large village for me to shop is Knowle which is 4 miles from where I live. Hockley Heath is not an appropriate place to shop and the village shop is a very limited resource - too far to walk but nowhere to park.
It seems likely that we may also loose the facility of our post office.
3. Lapworth does not fit the same characteristics as other much larger category 1 villages.

150 new houses on top of windfall growth is out of all proportion to the size of Lapworth. This will mean a growth of between 25% and 30% increase in the size of the village. This goes against statements in National Planning Document that express a desire to preserve the nature and character of communities. It does not protect the green belt nor recognise the intrinsic character or beauty of the area.

It is also out of all comparison with the 18% growth over the last 20years. It is not supported by the local Housing Needs Survey or projections by the Office of National Statistics.

The infrastructure of our village does not support this level of growth. For example much of the electricity supply is still carried by overhead cables. I personally have lost electricity supply to my property 10 times within the last 12 months.

As there is a lack of jobs in the local area residents will need to travel out of the area by private vehicle as there is insufficient public transport thus increasing congestion and pollution.

The National planning framework states that historic evidence of windfall growth in an community can be used as mitigation against the total number of projected properties required.

When has the number of properties been changed from 80 to 150?