See below my objection to the South of Atherton housing development:
Dear Sirs,
Re: South of Atherton housing development, A/17/84560/OUTMAJ.
I am writing to you to express my concerns about the plans relating to the above housing
development. While the development itself is outside of my constituency, it could have a
considerable impact on roads and services in the parts of Atherton that I cover.
After meeting with local residents, I am aware that a major concern about this development is on
access to the site, especially on Crab Tree Lane to the north of the development. This is a narrow
road where residents often have to park on the pavement to ensure that traffic can pass by, which
can be easily blocked if used by a larger vehicle. At its narrowest point, this road is only 4.74m wide.
I have been informed that the road and the pavements are also narrower than they are described on
this planning application. This street was initially designed to accommodate roughly 20 properties
and their vehicles. As plans for this development refer to this street being the main access point for
around 170 new houses - which would entail roughly 300 new vehicles - I have deep concerns about
how this road will manage to cope with such a huge increase in traffic.
Furthermore, as there do not seem to be any plans in place to block cars from the south side of the
development using Crab Tree Lane, there is nothing I place to stop every house on the development
using Crab Tree Lane as their access point should they wish to. Given that this street would be the
most ideal access point to use when heading towards the M61, I feel that these plans need
reconsideration. I have also been made aware that as Crab Tree Lane is quite steep (7.7% incline),
cars and pedestrians often struggle to get up it in icy conditions. This is another point that needs to
be addressed before development begins.
As the plans for this development do not include any mention of a new school or doctor's surgery, I
am worried about how the two local schools, Atherton and Parklee Community Schools, will cope
with the increase in pupils from the new houses on this development. Along with the problems with
school places, further concerns remain regarding how parents will get their children to these
schools, as it is likely that many of them will drive. Given the current problems relating to parking
near these schools and the ongoing traffic problems near the roundabout on Hamilton Street, as this
is road is also commonly used by shoppers at the nearby Tesco, it seems that these problems will
only get worse if even more cars are introduced to this area. It is estimated that the extra cars from
Crab Tree Lane and Bee Fold Lane will lead to an increase of 300 cars per hour on Hamilton Street. I
have been made aware that the junctions of Hamilton Street with Bee Fold Lane and Crab Tree Lane
are yet to be surveyed for traffic.
Residents have also informed me that another access road, which will run from the west side to the
east side of the development, is due to be built over the length of a large pipeline. As this pipeline
was built with the appropriate specifications to be placed under agricultural land, it will need to be
sleeved before a road is put above it in order to cope with the additional strain. Given the problems
that could arise should this pipeline be damaged, it is important that the pipeline is properly
prepared for this development.
Finally, I am aware that the land being proposed for this development was designated as
safeguarded land in the core Strategy plan in September 2013, and as such should not be considered
for development until at least 2026.
I would be grateful if you could give consideration to the above points.
Yours Sincerely,
Chris Green
Member of Parliament for Bolton West