Site: HI02

Land adjoining Pitt Cottage

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. It would be difficult to provide any access to this land from Mount Road due lo the closeness of the junction at Tubbs Lane and the narrow bending roadway, which is single track in places.

Environmental factors

1. Highclere has a high water table. .

2. Sites HI06 and HI02 were originally the same meadowland, and the two sites are contiguous. H106 is only separated by a public footpath and stock fencing, from the Milking Bridge meadows within Challis Copse, a complex of ancient grazing meadows.

Landscape factors

1. The area is within the North Wessex Downs AONB

2. No significant change has occurred since the last local plan review .

3. This site was originally meadowland and is now used as a garden without any change of land use being sought It adjoins site HI06 and provides a valuable open space with "borrowed" landscape.

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. Local inhabitants recognise the importance of the tranquility of the lanes in forming footways to the official footpaths in the area. 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 along the lanes and footpaths

2. Only a few people are employed locally and apart from home workers most people commute to Newbury or London. More houses mean more commuters and more cars, deterioration of the country lanes, and loss of hedges and rural vistas.

3. 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. Sewerage and drainage in the adjoining meadows has been a problem in the recent past.