Page 232 - MJC submissions

“Two apartment blocks, totalling 14 flats, have been built on a former part of the site and
development at a similar scale would be acceptable, but careful design would be needed to
respect the character of adjoining and neighbouring buildings”.

The 14 flats referred to are in Ashbourne Park which has a scale of around 28DdHa. Applying
this scale, as specified, would result in an approximate capacity of 22 units for the WH:EDF
site and not “50+”;

• The calculation of “50+” appears to be in error and has inflamed an expectation that
massive over-development is possible on the WH sites: in the process increasing the size
of the village by around 15% and triggering serious sustainability, environmental, traffic,
social and other problems;
• The Wealden House sites are specifically protected by two local policies (AWNP 9
[relating to the WH:EDF site] and AWNP 10 [relating to the WH:LIC site]). These state
that:

• Schemes must reflect and respect the predominant character of the area with particular
regard to the unit type, scale and massing;
• --- have a layout which reflects and respects the spacious character of the locality;

• --- provide a mix of dwelling types;

• ---- demonstrate that the development can be achieved without harmful impact on the
amenity of residents of Ashbourne House and Carlton House;
• Show that the residential development is sensitively incorporated into the historic
character of buildings on the site.

All of the above are violated in the proposed developments.

The “scale” (represented in terms density of dwellings per hectare or DdHa) of

o Ashbourne Park is 28 DdHa;
o Ashurst Wood village is 3.19 DdHa;

o The average of Category 3 villages (of which Ashurst Wood is part) is 1.12

DdHa;
o Spinney Hills and Willow Trees (an adjacent concurrent application approved

by MSDC) is 10.53 DdHa;

and the proposed development of 71 units is 85 DdHa.
If this scaling had been accurately applied to the WH:EDF

Sustainability explanation

3. A detailed appraisal made by the Steering Group and approved by MSDC (Attachment 1
Page 26
for the WH:EDF Site 13) states:
a) The site’s gross area is 1.2 hectares which includes 0.4 hectares of ancient woodland;

E:\Cobasco\Personal, House and computer instructions\EDF and WH Development\MJC
Plans theories and Objectives\CONSOLIDATED SUBMISSIONS\4a Mr Ashcroft 7th Dec
2018.docx