Please help us by writing in support of a Bedford-Olney-Northampton rail link

Please help us by writing in to Milton Keynes Council asking them to protect lands for the reopening of a Bedford-Olney-Northampton railway. Development must be tailored to enable the Handley Alignment to be do-able and both sides. For further enquries and guidance ring 020 8940 4399 or email simon4barber@gmail.com.

The Occupier On Behalf of ERTA 20 Fitzherbert House Kingsmead Richmond Surrey TW10 6HT	Duncan Sharkey Corporate Director - Place
	Anna Rose Service Director Planning and Transport
	Our Ref:		15/02299/OUT
	Your Ref:
	Reply To:		Richard Sakyi
	Direct Line:		01908 252509
10th June 2016	e-mail:	richard.sakyi@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Dear Sir/Madam,

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (AS AMENDED)

APPEAL BY Mr Paul Johnson AGAINST REFUSAL FOR
Outline application (access) for a proposed residential development of up to 50 dwellings, estate road, open space and associated works (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale - reserved matters)
AT Land To South of Lavendon Road Farm, Lavendon Road, Olney, ,
APPEAL START DATE:	6th June 2016

We are writing to advise you that the Secretary of State is conducting the above appeal.

The Council’s reason(s) for refusing the above application(s) are as follows:

(01)     The proposed access in combination with a proposed mini roundabout (onto Lavendon Road), by reason of the roundabout design (lack of curb) and location near to a bend in the road, would fail to give priority to traffic nor encourage traffic to slow down on Lavendon Road before the junction, increasing the risk of accidents within the locality to an unacceptable degree. No other mitigating measures have been proposed to overcome these concerns. The applicant has failed to demonstrate a safe access to the site, and that the proposed development accords with Design Manual for Road and Bridges / Manual for Streets 1 and 2 and MK New Residential Design Guide, and therefore is contrary to Milton Keynes Local Plan 2005 policy T10 and the aims of the National Planning Policy Framework.

(02)     No evidence has been submitted to indicate that a suitable discharge point into the River Ouse has been agreed with the Environment Agency.  The Local Planning Authority cannot therefore be satisfied that the scheme is able to incorporate a sustainable drainage system, contrary to aims and objective of the National Planning Policy Framework (and National Planning Policy Guidance) in this regard.

(03)     The applicant has failed to demonstrate that the proposed development would not lead to a burden on or have an adverse impact on existing local social and sustainable infrastructure, education and leisure facilities.  The proposal is therefore contrary to the guidance within Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) for Affordable Housing SPD (2013), Education Facilities SPG (2004), Leisure Recreation and Sports Facilities SPG (2005), Social Infrastructure SPD (2005), and Sustainable Construction SPD (2007) which support the Milton Keynes Core Strategy Policy CS21, Policy P04 of the Milton Keynes Local Plan 2005, and the aims of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

(04)     The proposed development, by reason of the concerns raised in reasons for refusal numbers 1, 2 and 3, does not meet the definition of sustainable development as outlined in paragraph 14 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

The Planning Inspector has asked me to notify you about this appeal as it is considered that you may be affected by the proposed development.

It has been decided that this appeal will be dealt with on the basis of an Informal Hearing, which you may attend, and at the Inspectors discretion give your views. The Informal Hearing will be at Milton Keynes Council, Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes. We will notify you of the date of the hearing when it has been arranged.

Any comments made by you at the application stage will be sent to the Planning Inspectorate and if you want to make any additional comments, 3 no. copies must be sent to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/13, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN, quoting reference APP/Y0435/W/16/3147906.

These should be sent by 11th July 2016.  Any representations received after the deadline will not normally be seen by the Inspector and will be returned.  I am obliged to point out that all representations will be disclosed to the appellant.

Representations can now be made on line at www.planningportal.gov.uk/pcs.

A copy of the Planning Inspectorate’s booklet “Guide to taking part in planning appeals” may be obtained free of charge, on request from the Planning Department at the Civic Offices.

The appellants statement may be inspected at The Planning Department, Milton Keynes Council, Civic Offices,1 Saxon Gate East, Milton Keynes, once received, approximately 6 weeks after the appeal start date.  The Council’s statement is currently being prepared and you should check on its availability by telephone before coming to inspect.

The Planning Inspectorate will send a copy of the decision to you provided you specifically ask for one.

If you are not the owner of this property to which this letter is addressed perhaps you would ensure that the owner is made aware of the contents of this letter.

Yours faithfully,

Richard Sakyi

Senior Planning Officer

On behalf of Head of Development Management

The traffic impact of this development, the turning a country lane (Lavendon Road) to a busy thoroughfare, the location of hedgerows which may be lost all has to be weighed with the benefit if lands are used for the railway which will deliver footfall and spend to Olney minus the conflict of land available and parking. The whole area north of built Olney should be declared a mini greenbelt.