2010/0712 / Mr David Gill
South Lakes Wild Animal Park Ltd
WARD/PARISH: / CASE OFFICER: / DATE RECEIVED:
Dalton North Dalton and Newton Parish Council / Jason Hipkiss
01229 876485 / 14/05/2010
STATUTORY DATE:
12/08/2010
LOCATION:
South Lakes Wild Animal Park, Broughton Road, Dalton-in-Furness
PROPOSAL:Extension to Wild Animal Park, incorporating remodelling of A590/Melton Brow (U6097) junction, with new access/egress for Melton Brow to visitors car and coach park, entrance buildings, earthworks, landscaping and perimeter fencing. New visitor attractions consisting of new and extended animal enclosures, paddocks and shelters, avairy building, walkways, recreational facilities including green areas and childrens play area and farm.
SAVED POLICIES OF THE FORMER LOCAL PLAN:
POLICY D1
The Borough’s countryside will be safeguarded for its own sake and non-renewable and natural resources afforded protection. Development will be permitted in the countryside only where there is a demonstrable need that cannot be met elsewhere. Where necessary development is permitted any adverse effect on the rural character of the surroundings should be minimised subject to the development’s operational requirements.
POLICY D13
Proposals for developments or land use changes which adversely affect, direct or indirectly, the integrity of wildlife and landscape features such as hedgerows, ponds, woodland or continuity of the Wildlife Corridors will only be approved if the development cannot be accommodated elsewhere and the need for the development clearly outweighs the need to retain that particular section of the wildlife network. Where the development will result in the loss of trees or woodland or other wildlife features, the Authority will require the developer to submit a detailed landscaping scheme with the planning application, which must be completed as part of the development, and which must provide for the replacement of trees or other wildlife features lost as a result of the development.
POLICY D58
New development within the vicinity of residential areas, schools, hospitals and offices,
must not generate noise above the existing background levels, as measured in accordance with the positions, times and methods agreed beforehand with the Authority.
POLICY G13
For the quiet enjoyment of recreation activities such as walking, cycling and horse riding the Borough Council will protect the following designated routes from development taking place on; or in the immediate surroundings where an interesting or visually pleasing view would be adversely affected:-
The Cistercian Way
Haematite Trail
Cumbria Coastal Way
Public Footpaths
Any existing right of way joining the rights of way network
POLICY G14
The Borough Council will seek to protect and enhance all public footpaths where new development is to take place and will encourage the linking of footpaths into housing development to provide easy access to the countryside.
SUMMARY OF MAIN ISSUES:NON MATERIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Loss of property value
REPRESENTATIONS:The Occupier, Melton House, Lindal-in-Furness
1. SAFETY ASPECTS
The application shows a parking requirement for 626 vehicles, I understand that Mr Gill said staff would guide visitors to the over-spill car park when the main car park was full (I believe via the lanes), showing an expectancy of 630+ peak traffic, not the 127 thereabouts he is inferring. In downplaying the amount of traffic he expects and using the lowest configuration of figures he can, gives a false sense of security to the use of the junction. He should be ashamed of himself for not using maximum figures and personally making certain that all safety aspects are met so as to insure the public are kept as safe as possible when visiting his zoo.
2. AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC
Using Mr Gill’s own figures, if the 626 vehicles arrive over 7 hours, then 626 cars/7 hours/60 minutes equals 1.5 cars per minute, this equates to one car every 45 seconds coming to or leaving the junction of the A590, half of which will turn right across oncoming traffic, either coming to or leaving the zoo. Heavy goods vehicles going to the abattoir, Hindle’s low loaders and heavy machinery, many vans and tractors also have to use the same junction, as they are banned from going through Lindal village. I would like to point out this is the potential traffic average, spread across the whole day and not the possible peak times.
3. INAPPROPRIATE USE
When (I believe not if) someone dies because of the amount of traffic that would be using this junction there will be an outcry from the same people that are now chastising you (the council) for not allowing the proposal before giving the fullest consideration. There would be a demand to improve access, which would then be at the taxpayer’s expense. As for those who say Melton Hill was the main road previously, it would be well to remember the old A590 was bypassed because it was no longer suitable because of accidents and deaths, this with traffic flows of 15 years ago and no heavily used right turn.
4. MISLEADING INFORMATION
The shouts from Mr Gill about not getting a fair deal are used to get public opinion on his side, this he does every time he does not get his way, instead of which he should be working with the elected representatives of the town, not attacking them.
5. ALTERNATE ROUTE
If the entrance were to be on the roundabout at the top of the road, it would use the access point already in place and adjacent to the proposed car park. Almost all zoo traffic at the moment uses this roundabout; therefore it would be a safer entrance with no increase of traffic flow initially and reduce traffic to Dalton. One would expect the council to make available any land required to widen/improve access from the road to the car park at a reasonable cost to the applicant. If this should happen I hope all expenses would be undertaken by the person who will profit and not the taxpayer.
6. PUBLIC SAFETY
The trunk road may not fully be the council’s responsibility but the council must not allow these plans to be passed unless safe access is ensured. Personal gain must not be put before people’s lives. Mr Gill recently told the Evening Mail that 10,000 people visited the zoo this last Bank Holiday, he also says he expects a large increase in visitors if the application is accepted, which in turn means a large increase in traffic flow, making this T junction unsuitable.”
The Occupier, 1 Melton Terrace, Lindal
“We strongly object to the proposed alteration of the junction of the A590/U6097
Reasons
This junction does not have the ability to cope safely, no matter how this junction is altered/Improved, with the amount of traffic movement that is forecast to use it.
This junction has already seen a number of accidents and near misses with the, (as quoted in the traffic assessment submitted) insignificant volume of traffic at present using this junction.
To increase this to in excess 400 vehicle movements per hour with a projected expansion to 350,000 per annum is far in excess of this junctions capabilities.
As frequent users of this junction we are very aware of its limitations especially as to the actions of other road users. Visitors to the area will not be aware of this risk and will therefore greatly increase the potential for serious accidents.
With the proposed changes to this junction we are very concerned that serious accidents/fatalities will occur as this has the potential to become the last safe junction on the entire length of the A590. As the Council has the duty of care for public safety then by allowing this proposal they would be failing in this regard.
We strongly object to the use of the U6097 and the back lanes from the proposed new car park in order to access the existing car park at times.
Reasons
These roads are very narrow and are frequently used by pedestrians from the local areas for recreational purposes often with prams and young children, this of course being most heavily used at weekends, school and bank holidays, which would coincide with the applicants projected busy periods when the changes of diverting park traffic this way would be at its greatest.
BIODIVERSITY SCOPING SURVEY REPORT
With regard to the proposed planning application above,
Item 2 A substantial amount of hedgerow is to be removed.
Item 3 What species were recorded? I myself known the fields in question support, Robins, Tree Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Bull Finch, Green Finch, Turtle Dove, Thrush, Blackbird, Kestrel, Wren, Jackdaws, Crow, Stag Beetles, Bees, Wasps, Ladybirds, Moths, Butterflies, Dragonflies, Mayflies, Bats, Badgers, Foxes and Rabbits feed here, and many other species of indigenous wild life call these fields their home. I live at Melton Terrace all these animal visit our garden. We are in very close proximity to the development.
Item 7 Habitats to remain as they are? With an electrical fence, 7500 volts 2.5 to 3 mtrs high how do animals from the field next door not part of the development access their feeding grounds. Will the fence emit a sound to warn the wildlife? If it emits a sound how will this affect the residents? Covering long established pasture land with asphalt will greatly reduce feeding grounds?
THESE ARE GREEN FIELDS, NATURAL HABITAT FOR A WIDE RANGE OF INDIGNIOUS WILDLIFE FACING DESTRUCTION
We strongly object to the use of the (U6097) with the new access/egress off Melton Brow for the reasons stated below:
Reason 1 ROAD SAFETY
Melton Brow was by-passed because of its notorious accident record, to re-introduce the level of traffic as predicted will reinstate this safely issue. The proposed aggress of the Park will actually increase the likelihood of this happening by increasing the downward speed on this stretch of the hill.
We strongly recommend a site visit; only by actually standing at the top of the hill i.e. the proposed car park will the dangers be obvious.
Reason 2 NOISE POLLUTION
Since the road was by-passed the residents of Melton Terrace have enjoyed a great deal of tranquillity and enjoyment in our homes and gardens have flourished and become a haven for many forms of indigenous wildlife. From an insignificant impact on the quality of life, to the detriment of our health and wellbeing.
Defras Noise Policy Statement for England March 2010 section 1.7 Noise Policy Aims.
1 Avoid significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life
2 Mitigate and minimise adverse impacts on health and quality of life
3 Where possible, contribute to the improvement and quality of life
Defras Noise Policy Statement for England March 2010 2.5 Types of Noise Addressed.
1 Environmental Noise which includes noise from transportation sources, traffic
2 Neighbourhood Noise which includes noise from outside people’s homes
Driving on public roads is a privilege not a birthright it comes with responsibilities such as safety and respect for others and the environment. The Boom Boom Boom from sound systems in vehicles moving or stationery using the Wild Life Park, will cause an undesirable intrusion to the tranquillity we have become accustomed to. Acoustic noises from vehicles are weapons of intimidation in the hands of disrespectful and ignorant people.
Reason 3 AIR POLLUTION/CONGESTION
Road traffic is one of the fastest growing sources of Carbon Dioxide emissions; transport also produces other greenhouse gasses including Nitrous Oxide, Methane and Hydro fluorocarbons Government Policy is to reduce traffic growth, The Wild Life Park will significantly increase both traffic noise and air pollution, traffic flow will be reduced to a standstill at busy periods, increasing the amount of stop-start driving outside Melton Terrace, filling the air with up to 80% more pollution, the lay-out of this road has a high hedge on one side of the road with high solid bank behind and a high wall on the other side with a solid bank behind. Because of the ‘tunnel’ effect the highly polluted air will hand around homes and gardens, significantly reducing the use of our gardens, doors and windows will have to remain closed even on the hottest days detrimental to our health, wellbeing and quality of life. Air pollution has a major impact on all living things, causes respiratory disease, viral infections, and lung disease, and reduces the supply of oxygen to all major organs. We will also be subject to vibration this being a problem in the past with the old road, Melton Terrace as a building dates back to the 11th Century it was originally a Tithe barn for the monks of Furness Abbey and is of half crooks design. It has a long history, was used by George Fox for the poor people of the parish, it was also an Ale House for the Mines. The building is part of the history of Furness, and should be protected as part of the heritage of the area for future generations.
The European Convention on Human Rights
The World Health Organisation
The Aarhus Convention
All of the above organisations recognises and upholds the right, of every persons right to a health environment, adequate protection of the environment is essential to the enjoyment of basic human rights the concept that every person has the right to LIVE IN A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT has an obligation and a duty to protect the environment. Every natural or legal person is entitled TO THE PEACEFUL ENJOYMENT OF HIS HOME AND POSSESSIONS.