Object

Local Plan Review: Preferred Approach 2016-2035

Representation ID: 2052

Received: 07/02/2019

Respondent: Ms Elizabeth Badman

Representation Summary:

Object to allocation at Loxwood on grounds that additional houses will put further pressure on local roads with increased traffic and pollution; new residents will need to drive to place of work as limited employment opportunities in surrounding areas and current public transport inadequate; inadequate sewage treatment infrastructure; unfair allocation since other villages have avoided allocations.

Full text:

I am very concerned with the number of additional houses in Loxwood Village proposed under the above plan.

Surely the proposals for additional houses should be led by local needs and sustainability rather than by developers.

I would like to record my specific comments:
1- The plan does not meet the sustainability requirements as follows:
- transport, there is only one bus a day to Guildford, and two buses a week to Horsham. Any additional houses will put further pressure on the local roads and lead to increased pollution.
- employment, currently there are only very limited employment opportunities in the surrounding area, thus new residents will need to drive to their place of employment as the current transport does not operate at the times required by those going to work. This is likely to lead to two cars per house, even more cars on the already crowded roads
- the existing foul water infrastructure- with the new Nursery Green development there has had to be installed a foul water holding tank as the current system cannot cope with the current demand. The foul water in the holding tank can only be pumped away when there is capacity at the treatment works. According to Southern Water there are no plans to increase capacity. How will the system cope with the demands on it of additional houses?
2- Unfair distribution of houses within the North area with the surrounding villages mostly not being allocated any additional houses