To: TMBC Planning Policy Team
Hadlow Parish Council has considered the online consultation document for the Local Plan and encouraged residents to respond. However, we have received numerous comments from both Councillors and residents that the Consultation document is not easy to comprehend and difficult to input relevant comments. It is considered restrictive and undemocratically designed.
We are extremely concerned about the loss of Green Belt and the dubious designation of Grey Belt.
We would like the following matters that are of concern to Hadlow residents to be considered when formulating the Plan and in particular development within our Parish and the surrounding villages.
Pressure and compounded impact on areas below taking into consideration future development plans within the locality of Hadlow, East Peckham, Paddock Wood and the surrounding villages.
- Roads & Transport: Surrounding roads and transport within the vicinity adding to congestion bearing in mind the nature of the road network i.e. limited trunk routes and numerous country lanes.
- Impact on parking, public transport: Where bus services have already been reduced, trains and overall transport infrastructure particularly during rush hours will be overwhelmed.
- Impact on Utilities: Hadlow has a very old foul water system which has resulted in numerous discharges into the River Bourne and is at present exceeding full capacity. Considering the circa three hundred homes already approved which will have an enormous impact on the already overstretched system our fear is that further development will totally overwhelm the network.
- Public Facilities: School facilities will not be able to cope with such an increase in pupil numbers, proposals to fill spaces in existing schools in adjacent to villages where residents live further exacerbates pressure on the road network and other infrastructure.
- Medical Facilities: Hadlow medical facilities at capacity and in the past East Peckham doctor’s surgery was closed. Not only shortage of GP’s but also accommodation limitation, parking.
- Hospitals: In the wider context local hospitals are already at capacity and would not be able to maintain a suitable level of service with a vastly increased population.
- Air Pollution: A26 will be at a standstill due to increased traffic volumes and with engines idling this must lead to an increase in the levels of harmful pollutants.
- Other Concerns: A26 Designated emergency Routes which could be severely impacted.
We trust that our comments and concerns will be seriously considered and addressed as part of the Consultee process.