MY COMMENTS ON THE APPLICATION FOR 58 HOMES

The proposed development is hugely detrimental to the people of Comeytrowe Road and the wider population of Trull and should be refused on a number of grounds. The land itself sits outside of the settlement and outside of the local plan and therefore an exception would be needed for this site to be developed. The only reason for an exception to be made in these circumstances is if there is a local need that is proven. The recent needs assessment found that the level of need was considerably lower and a number of properties close to 6 to 8 would be appropriate. In addition the basis of an exception site was for small developments that filled in or sat on the very edge of a development this can only be considered to be a major development. If an exception was made in this instance the pressure on other sites that surround Taunton would be immense. This is a green field site with no benefit to the local community. If development does ever occur it should only be with a clear plan that is sustainable and takes full account of the infrastructure. This type of piecemeal development is dangerous and inappropriate.


The properties themselves are to be sold at a percentage of market value this is a good principle however the market price is dictated to by desirability. The market is not controlled by any individual or company it is as described, a market. On this basis why would houses that are to be built on a basis of market affordability be built in one of the highest valued postcode areas in Taunton Deane. The scale of affordability would suggest that these would not be affordable in the true sense rather more affordable.

The volume of traffic is already significant on this narrow lane and measures should be made to reduce traffic not increase it. There is a lack of pavements and the residents already complain at the difficulties that they have in walking and cycling on this road. To put a further 58 houses with all the associated car movements would ultimately produce gridlock. This is an excessively narrow carriageway, unsuitable to cope with the level of traffic that would be generated.


The school is already at its limit and I would suggest that any development of this scale would no doubt increase this pressure in addition these new pupils would potentially have to walk on this busy dangerous road increasing significantly the possibility of serious injury.


The proposal would potentially increase the housing numbers in Trull by 10% and whilst Trull may be considered as an associated settlement the reality is that it has a very clear identity as a village community and this creates unnecessary pressure on this community. The residents of Trull accept a need for affordable housing and the recent survey gave the parish council a clear indication of the numbers needed. This should be respected and allowed to develop and not be purely developer led as their only true consideration is the company balance sheet. The parish council is proactively looking for solutions to its own local need and I believe should be allowed to do so within the constraints of present planning policy. These affordable housing developments should be where appropriate and based on a specific need and this application delivers none of those requirements

APPLICATION FOR 58 HOUSES Ref: 42/2007/060

The application has been lodged with TDBC and it is not vital that anyone makes their representations asap.

The early comments that I have noted have been very limited and I am very concerned that the wider community is not aware that this application is in and that the letters that they wrote previuosdly objecting to the proposoped development will probably not be considered as no application was in at that stage purely a consultation on the part of the developer.

NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR TRULL

I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE PLANNED SMALL SCALE DEVELOPMENT ON DIPFORD ROAD FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAS BEEN LODGED AT THE COUNCIL.

THIS IS FOR 8 HOUSES AND IS FAR MORE APPRORIATE THAN THE OTHER PROPOSAL.

I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING THE VIEWS OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS.

HOPEFULLY THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL SATISFY THE NEED INDICATED AND THEREFORE WE WILL HAVE NO NEED FOR ANY FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

REGIONAL SPACIAL STRATEGY

We have been waiting for the application to appear for 80 affordable houses in Trull and I understand that they are still waiting on important information with regards traffic surveys. Not sure why they need one of those the answer is simple, theres too much traffic already!!

The Regional Spacial Strategy has however raised its head and in there the potential for up to 8000 houses in the fields of Comeytrowe and a new road been briven through the green wedge to link the A38 with the M5 at Junction 25.

The draft RSS is going to the Secretary of State and then after any possible changes are made it will return for consultation before finally becoming the strategy. The consequences if this stays as it is are horrendous for the South West of Taunton. 8000 houses is practically a new town.

COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS

The Community Survey which took place in October has concluded that at this time up to 18 people expressed a need for affordable housing in the Parish of Trull.

14 of the respondents were current Trull residents
12 respondents had a family connection to Trull
2 respondents are employed in Trull
6 respondents are currently living in unsatisfactory or over crowded accomodation
7 respondents wish to move out of the parents house
6 respondents have an insecure tenancy agreement

7 of the properties required were 1 bed
6 of the properties required were 2 bed
2 of the properties required were 3 bed

The majority of residents earnt under £18,000 per annum

The survey is only a snapshot in time , peoples requirements change.

It is clear there is some need but not to the extent that Summerfield Developments are proposing.

EXPECT AN APPLICATION SOON !!!

I have been informed that a planning application could appear very shortly.

I am delighted that we did the survey with the Community Council as I feel certain this will help address the issue of need.

In addition the clear message from everyone that has commented on the site with regards highways is that the site will be most unsuitable.

This aside I am still expecting an application shortly.

Community Survey

The Parish Council have sent a survey to all households in Trull and Staplehay which I assited in distributing.

We will get the results at the Parish Council meeting in December from the Community Council.

There has been no news recently...not that I take any confort from that.