Object

Representation ID: 350

Received: 06/07/2021

Respondent: Vanessa Pazarlis

Firstly we have not yet seen the affects of the current new development on any of the previously raised concerns – flooding, additional traffic and school etc. It is yet to be seen how the development will effect the village once occupied.

As previously raised with the initial site I have the following concerns:

Flooding – since the new development has been in place the field directly opposite my house (94 the street) has instead of pooling rainwater on the corner pedestrian entrance to the field it is now pooling in the middle of the field during large rainfall – closer to my house and also the new development. The reservoir being dug out currently does not look big enough to cope and the drainage in the ditches rely on the farmer clearing them annually which in history has not taken place.

Road Traffic – this is a big enough problem already with The Street being congested with parked cars effectively causing the main road in and out of the village to be a single carriageway. I do not think the widening of the road has been sufficient.
School Traffic – reliance on car use for those who travel in from surrounding areas, the parking for the school is non existent and they do not have space to improve on this. The road at school times is absolute chaos and with additional families yet to move into the area this is bound to increase. The local resident’s of the school already complain often to the school but the school have no alternative for the parents hence making a very unsafe predicament of double parking and blocking driveways, the road is often parked on all the way up to the new development.

School places – Currently the school is at full capacity and although they have had an extension in recent years they are not able to extend any further due to planning restrictions. This means the chance of increasing the current amount of children in the school would not be possible. Local schools in Beccles are also at full capacity.

Doctors – Beccles Medical centre has the 3rd highest number of patients to GP ratio for the entire area. The waiting time to see a GP is already incredible long – that is if you can get through in the first place. They are stretched beyond there means and this will not improve if we continue to allow more developments in the area with funding to expand local heath care provision.

Noise and light pollution – This is a concern not only from the current new development but also from the new development at Gillingham services. The further dwellings will increase this issue further.

‘Boxing in of school Pond!’ – with the proposed new dwellings we will find the school pond being boxed in therefore not allowing local wildlife in and out of the site. The area will loose local species that are vital to our environmental balance.

As above I have many concerns over the proposed development and whilst I am aware of the need for more housing these houses are not for first time buyers – they are being priced out of the market and these houses are overpriced. I am aware of the shared ownership housing – this scheme only suits a select few and even then it is not an affordable proposition for many. Most cannot afford the rent on top of the mortgage and unless they are in receipt of benefits to help with the rent portion it is not economically viable. Unless you have a large deposit or very high earnings it would be near impossible for young families or first time buyer to purchase these properties.