Object

Representation ID: 4358

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Addingham Environment Group

-Housing numbers – too high and cannot be accommodated without substantially compromising policies clearly laid out elsewhere in the Local Plan on sustainability and environmental protection.
- There is very limited open land within the settlement boundary or surrounding Green Belt that can be developed without harming the village character, landscape setting and biodiversity value of the green and blue infrastructure corridors identified in the Plan;
- Sites that are potentially otherwise suitable under some of the housing allocation criteria are located at a distance from village services and perform poorly against Policy SP7 that seeks to promote a transformation to sustainable modes of transport, such as walking and cycling, which are more important in a village context than proximity to bus routes;
-Impact on the South Pennine Moors SPA/SCA, and the North Pennine Moors SPA/SCA;
- The village is situated adjacent to the very high landscape value regions of the Yorkshire Dales National Park (to the west) and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding National Beauty (to the north). Connectivity between these areas and the Pennine Moors’ SPAs is essential for wildlife protection. Excessive development will lead to further fragmentation and cause wildlife disturbance. The recent loss of curlews in the field to the north of Springfield Mount is a prime example of the wildlife attrition currently taking place.
• Support - The importance of both Green and Blue Infrastructure and the need to protect and enhance green and blue corridors (although this is inconsistent with preferred sites AD5/H and AD 6/H (see below);
• Support - Enhancing the vitality and viability of the Local Centre to facilitate more sustainable lifestyles;
• Support - Creating and improving safe travel routes for walking and cycling both to village centre facilities and through village neighbourhoods (although this is inconsistent with support given for AD1/H, AD2/H, AD6/H and AD7/H);
• support - Protecting open space especially where there are opportunities to improve wildlife value and to create zones for natural flood water management and Sustainable urban Drainage Systems (SuDS); and
• support - Improving footpaths and biodiversity in the Southfield “green wedge”. The Area Strategy summary only highlights the importance of protecting the landscape to the South of the village; this needs strengthening by stressing:
• The importance of protecting and enhancing blue as well as green infrastructure corridors
• The importance of protecting and enhancing the Marchup and Back Beck/Long Riddings corridors especially the green entry into the village from the Silsden Road roundabout along Marchup and threats to wildlife habitats along Back Beck Lane.
• It has intrinsic heritage, archaeological and ecological importance with respect especially to its medieval history, the occurrence of ancient species-rich hedgerows and its barn owl population;
• It is located within the zone of influence of the internationally designated South Pennine Moor Special Protection Area for wading birds and is used as foraging ground for species such as curlew and lapwing; and
• Despite the barrier created by the A65 road, it links the village to the Street, Lumb Ghyll Wood and Stegholes Local Wildlife Sites and the wider countryside of Addingham Moorside beyond, forming a connection of immense value for both people and wildlife. Village gardens contribute to the conservation of wildlife populations across the site and wildlife observation and care for wildlife contributes to the enjoyment and well-being of residents in the centre of the village.
In this context and if housing is granted on Southfield land as proposed (AD3/H and/or AD4/H below) we seek assurances that no further erosion of this green wedge takes place and its integrity is permanently protected. It should be recognised along with the Wharfe and Beck corridors as an important green infrastructure asset for wildlife and people.