[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Postal Code]
[Date]
The Planning Department
South Ribble Borough Council
Civic Center, West Paddock
Leyland, PR25 1DH
Subject: Objection to Planning Application 07/2024/00102/OUT for Land At North Of Cocker Lane Moss Side Leyland Lancashire
Dear Sirs,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed development, particularly focusing on issues related to access, the impact on local wildlife, and the alteration to the character of Cocker Lane. I would appreciate your acknowledgment of this letter and a thoughtful consideration of the points raised.
Access Concerns:
The primary concern revolves around the significant access issues associated with the proposed site. Notably, the site lacks allocation for residential development in the 2015 Local Plan, a plan which has already surpassed its target. Further, the Emerging Local Plan consultations have explicitly discounted this site due to critical access problems. Specifically, there is no direct access from Dunkirk Lane, and Cocker Lane is already operating at full capacity. The proposal to add 23 dwellings, potentially introducing an additional 50 to 60 vehicles, would exacerbate the situation on Cocker Lane, known for its limited access points, poor lighting, and inadequate surfacing. This not only poses a substantial health and safety risk but also threatens to severely congest the single entry/exit points at the junctions of Dunkirk Lane, Paradise Lane, and Cocker Lane, particularly impacting the vicinity of Moss Side Elementary School with increased risk of accidents.
Impact on Wildlife:
The proposed development site holds significant ecological value, being home to a diverse range of wildlife including bats, foxes, hawks, owls, and deer. The Ecological Statement provided within the planning proposal inaccurately underestimates this ecological presence, notably stating a lack of evidence for bats despite their clear abundance in the area. It is crucial that the planning considerations adequately reflect the true ecological significance of the site to prevent irreparable harm to the local wildlife habitat.
Change to the Character of Cocker Lane:
Lastly, the proposed development threatens to fundamentally alter the character of Cocker Lane. The construction of a 'mini' estate would not only erode the natural landscape, particularly the verdant verges that currently front the residences below Birchwood Close, but also change the very nature of Cocker Lane and its community. Such a development would strip Cocker Lane of its current charm and character, to the detriment of all who live there and the broader community.
I urge you to consider these points with the seriousness they warrant. The access issues, the potential harm to local wildlife, and the irreversible change to the character of Cocker Lane present compelling reasons to reconsider the proposed development.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]