Council should support sustainable development (From Salisbury Journal)
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Council should support sustainable development
4:23pm Wednesday 17th October 2012 in Letters
A MAJOR change in planning regulations, which affects the Hampton Park II development, is now effective following the Government’s publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on March 27.
The NPPF explains that housing developments must be ‘sustainable’, ‘ensuring that better lives for ourselves do not mean worse lives for future generations’ and plans recently published or prepared can now be revisited.
It is essential that Wiltshire Council supports sustainable development and takes account of the effect of its planning decisions within the Salisbury area beyond 2026.
Whilst Salisbury has a serious problem with traffic pollution, the council forecasts that by 2026 there will be a 30 per cent reduction in pollution and future technology will produce cleaner emissions from vehicle engines.
However, this forecast was produced by a computer model shown to have data errors and omissions, so there can be no guarantee pollution will be reduced by 2026.
Reports in 2008 showed heavy goods vehicle (HGV) movement to the north of the city was 2,590 each day. This, together with the expected growth and other through traffic on the A36, could increase pollution significantly. But it could be reduced if through traffic could be removed from the city area.
If pollution levels are not reduced by 2026 and a bypass is essential to protect people’s health, the only location suitable for a northern bypass is Hampton Park II. This could be achieved using the single road along the already constructed Pearce roadway.
A Salisbury Contingency Plan - Pollution 2024 has been produced and presented to Wiltshire Council.
It recommends that no development should take place on the Hampton Park site until it is known if a Salisbury bypass will be needed. The council will then have the flexibility to make a sound and effective decision, if needed, for the removal of traffic from the city.
It is essential that Wiltshire Council uses the NPPF to confirm the construction of 500 houses at Hampton Park II is unsustainable at this time.
GRAHAM PARKER, Royal Society South Wiltshire Environmental Planning Group and South Wiltshire Association of Council Taxpayers
Comments(2)
IanMcL
says...
7:27pm Wed 17 Oct 12
Where would it go when it reaches London Road?
Has the writer not heard...it got approved. They could start today (except it's raining)!
karlmarx says...
7:09pm Wed 17 Oct 12
According to who?
"This could be achieved using the single road along the already constructed Pearce roadway" ??
The current weight limit for UK Juggernauts is 44 tonnes and, is due to rise to 60 tonnes with the introduction of the European twin trailer units in the near future.
Unless Pearce way is removed and totally rebuilt it is not fit for purpose and is totally unsafe for through traffic of this nature