Page 2 - Microsoft Word - Letter to Steven King rev2

c) The area of the WH:EDF site is inconsistently recorded as 1.60 hectares (“TBC”) in the
AWNP “Sites Submitted as at February 2014” [Attachment 3] and 1.47 hectares in
application DM/18/1548 [Attachment 4 Question 21]. In fact, I believe the developable
area (after excluding ancient woodland) is 0.8 hectares;

d) The number of dwellings assessed as “potential housing capacity” for the WH:EDF (Site
13): in the Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment - SHLAA 470:
Attachment 5a] is shown as “50+” but this density - of 64 dwellings per hectare (DdHa) -
conflicts with the “justification” given one line below on the same attachment which
states:

“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+”;

e) 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;

f) 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.

g) The AWVC Steering Group – responsible for preparing the Ashurst Wood Neighbourhood
Plan (AWNP) - concluded that there were 27 qualifying households on council house
waiting lists; only 8 of which made the parish their first choice.

h) The Sustainability Reports caution that:
“…..there is a limit to the number that is compatible with the environmental,
economic and social objectives of the Neighbourhood Plan and a large number of
new homes would be unsustainable. Residents wish to protect the rural character of
the village”.

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