Molins Action Group Concerned local residents For discussion with WDC Task & Finish Group 28 TH SEPTEMBER 2015
Molins Action Group Formed March 2015 to prevent Molins Application being steam rollered through planning Aim to research Molins application, take professional advice and consider options To inform residents and give them influence in the outcome Liaise with and influence other parties / countryside organisations Achieve a more considered neighbourhood-based approach to planning in the Parish
Local community issues Effect on the AONB Effect of traffic Increases Loss of employment land Need for a Parish-wide approach
Fundamental change in quality of rural life Circa 600% increase in households in Saunderton from 200 to 1,200 Over 100% increase of households in the Parish Proportional increase in activity and traffic volumes cause fundamental change Loss of greenfield farming land and access opportunities for rural pursuits
Irreversible physical damage to Chilterns AONB Loss of over 100 acres of mainly managed farmland in the AONB to residential development Permanent visual impairment of the AONB from 1,000 new homes Urban style and density of housing totally out of character with the AONB Dangerous precedent for other AONBs across the UK Impact on Bradenham Woods SSSI and SAC
Effect of incremental traffic volumes Inadequacy of existing A4010 even before proposed new housing in PR WDC s IRC Review (Feb 2015) identifies inadequacies of A4010 as a Red Route Existing long Pedestal Roundabout tailbacks and West Wycombe congestion Inevitable further feedback of traffic onto local rat run routes in peak times Massive increase in local car journeys will aggravate A4010 issues Current rural local roads were not designed for this volume of traffic and will present a very real danger to all users especially pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists Persistent speeding on Chinnor Road already highlighted by Thames Valley Police Serious safety impact on Bledlow Ridge School, St. Paul s Church, Bledlow Ridge Village Hall and The Boot PH Increase in traffic will raise level of perceived risk by residents encouraging use of cars over more sustainable forms for local journeys Saunderton Station will have minimal effect in reducing incremental traffic volumes
Loss of local employment land Irreplaceable within this part of the AONB Creates less sustainable settlement / Parish Increases the dormitory village effect Little real attempt to look at alternatives to residential use for the site
Attitude of local community Negligible local support for the Saunderton AAP contrasts with positive support for Neighbourhood Plan Overwhelming view is to protect AONB land and avoid anything along the lines of 1,000 new houses in Saunderton Agreement on the need to provide further housing but of a scale and nature appropriate to particular rural or village situations, not one that fundamentally changes an area as proposed here General local agreement on the need to redevelop the Molins site with some employment use as: Mixed employment / low density in character housing Retirement village with extra care / acute care services
Saunderton Station - a viable transport option? Infrequent timetable and proximity of superior services from PR & HW Operator inability / unwillingness to raise service beyond current levels Lack of parking around the station Increased local traffic at peak times on A4010 from new households
Issues for WDC High Risk Strategy - National Planning Policy Framework not easily circumvented strong technical arguments that the AAP would be rejected by Inspectorate / Secretary of State Potential effort, costs and reputational damage if rejected Absence of a Local Strategic Plan in the District & housing pressure seemingly forcing WDC to seek a Quick Fix for part of its housing allocation The proposal is at odds with WDC s stated stance on the AONB Adverse precedent for other AONB areas in the District
Summary MAG believes that: A wider development of Saunderton as proposed carries no support from the local community because a combination of the adverse impact on the Green Belt and the AONB, the loss of tranquility from increased traffic and the loss of local employment land far outweigh any possible benefits. The AAP approach carries risks which can be alleviated by taking a fully balanced approach through a Neighbourhood Plan as a proper part of district-wide Local Plan process; maximising public engagement and mitigating the present perception that WDC is adopting a quick fix solution to external pressures.
Recommended approach The Task & Finish Group should recommend to Cabinet that work on the Saunderton AAP be terminated, and that the Parish Council is given the required support to develop its current Neighbourhood Development Plan for a suitable and sustainable Parish-wide strategy