Site: HI01

Mount Common

THIS SITE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHANGE OF USE TO RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

Accessibility and Transport factors

1. Public transport is very poor, and any family dwelling would need parking for 2 or 3 vehicles.

2. There are no local shops or post office within Highclere

3. There is a distinct lack of community facilities.

4. Pantings Lane is only wide enough for single traffic. Large vehicles often block the road eg. Delivering oil and the large number of vehicles entering and exiting Thorngrove School.

5. There is very poor visibility on to Mount Road, which in its self is a busy road.

6. Tubbs Lane, although wider than Pantings Lane is not suitable for a large increase in vehicle movements, again it has a difficult and hazardous junction with Mount Road.

Environmental factors

1. Highclere has a high water table.

2. Recent developments along Tubbs Lane have been subject to flooding. In heavy rains houses at either end of the road can be subject to near flooding. Mount Common acts to retain some of the potential floodwater. Particularly in winter, the hollows in the field flood.

3. The adjacent land around Mount Common contains ancient meadow indicators and together with the density of trees and hedgerows is a haven for wildlife. The Common provides a key link between different areas whether it be owls/bats feeding in the evening or deer (roe and muncjac) passing through from the north side of the A343 to the countryside in the west.

Landscape factors

1. The area is within the North Wessex Downs AONB

2. No significant change has occurred since the last local plan review. The points raised in the B&DBC written response to the applicant's objection are as valid today as they were then. See particularly, paragraphs 4.5, 4.6, 5.1 and 5.2 attached

Built Environment and Heritage Features

1. Highclere is the gateway to the North Wessex Downs and the County's first Parish, when heading South from West Berkshire along the A343. It is an historic Parish and Highclere Castle attracts visitors from around the world. It is therefore important to also maintain the original vista and retain as many open spaces and "borrowed" landscapes as possible.

Socio-economic Factors

1. The area of Highclere has few footpaths. The draft VDS has acknowledged the importance of the tranquility of the lanes in forming footways to the official footpaths in the area. A map of the network is shown below. The use of these peaceful lanes are not only enjoyed by local residents walking dogs, horse riding, and cycling etc but also form part of the network of footpath linkages with other parishes. Much of the sense of community derives from meeting s along the lanes and footpaths.

2. Local schools are already at saturation point in neighbouring Woolton Hill and Burghclere. Local GP surgeries, in neighbouring villages, are under equal pressure.

Infrastructure costs and viability factors

1. It is doubtful that the roads could take the wear and tear of a major development during construction as well as the increase in general vehicles movements over future years.

2. There would be immense cost in developing the infrastructure to support a residential change of use on this site. Drainage costs would be significant both financially and in disruption to the roads in the immediate vicinity. Enquiries should be made as to whether the pumping station at Milking Bridge can cope with any increased capacity.