Testun llawn:
BROWNFIELD SITES -policy
In respect of all unused sites , particularly brown field but not ruling out Housing/retail sites , that have been vacant for more than eg. 25 years then the planning allocation should automatically be mixed use or white land. There is no reason such sites cannot be used for allotments, parking, leisure, innovative trendy housing even built with containers for example.
The former creamery site in Whitland SR/163/007 is an example of such central dereliction and a shameful waste of an area close to services that could have been useful to the town and surrounding areas. It is an eysore and affects visual amenity and the wellbeing of residents.
The inspector, as I understand, removed the lower part of the site from the development line due to a flood plain. Given that the reason for the great flood of 1986 in Whitland is rectified and there are further flood barriers this decision was unfortunate and the site could not even be used for allotments, community car parking, retail and even much needed Housing. Going forward if climate change may impact any parts of the site then it is up to the owners of such sites to provide the requisite studies to suit the proposed uses.
Whitland has excellent transport infrastructure and good work opportunities but needs something exciting doing with this disused site.
RURAL TRANSPORT
There is only a remote chance of rural buses that can be run economically and sustainably on a daily basis at times to suit people who would otherwise use a car.
Disused railway lines such as that was formerly in the UDP as a route from Whitland to Cardigan ( Cardi Bach ) should be protected as these routes were instrumental in the sustainibility and economic generation of rural hamlets. Following closure these villages en route became stagnant. Old railway routes use as pathways and cycle routes enables safe connections between communities and these can used by young people to prevent rural isolation and reliance on parental taxis.. With the increase in the use of electric bikes it ebables Community for less athletic persons as well as potential tourism. Cafes or local historic features along the routes enable rural enterprise supporting the circular economy.
WHITLAND TOWN CENTRE
This designated outline is inaccurate in my view as it omits various very longstanding retail units of half a century or more.see attached map for proposal as a matter of fact.
LOCAL CONCERN
SR/163/010 Residents are concerned about the velocity of the off flow from the hill above this development and indeed this velocity lifted tarmac off a bridge and it does cause localised flooding. The site lacks footways and any such development requires very careful management of downward water flows on both sides of this allocation in case homes here suffer from such velocity and mud spills from the hillside above as do current residences.
HOUSING
Rural needs are greatly restricted by the policies related to affordable Housing. There is a greater level of self employment in rural areas and to provide work life balance homes of sufficient size are resticted by WAG Policy. A home Office, utility area sufficient to manage outerwear from rural surroundings, workshop are essentials to manage rural living in a fast paced environment. Some young people do return after study or working away but much of this depends upon availibility of skilled employment and the possibility of creating a home for life and self employed or remote work in one unit. Affordibility of a larger build size is a restriction but does not take into account that the build may be incremental and if budget is restricted (according to figures presented for build size) then persons can complete the more expensive internal works as budget becomes available.
People (and animals) are healthier in well ventilated, well designed spaces.
Affordable homes generally do not have sufficient garden size as did the old council homes and Commercial estates, in my view, are too uniform. Whilst budgets can be restrictive there is no excuse for inadequate design.
There has not been a housing needs survey for this revision and reliance on the Housing register is not a reflection of the many aspirations of those who wish to return home to contribute to the Community raise families or retire on their family farms.
The same applies to rural enterprise which is essential to the circular economy. Supporting SMEs to thrive where they can find a niche keeps a rural area vibrant and innovative.
Land banking that is tied up in pension schemes perhaps is another issue that restricts potential from none allocated sites.
I recognise this may not be as concise or eloquent as other submissions but there seems to be a mismatch of understanding between urban and rural living needs.
