Representation by Levington and Stratton Hall Parish Council (Levington and Stratton Hall Parish Council)
- Date submitted
- 24 September 2020
- Submitted by
- Parish councils
The Parish Council has participated in all four stages of public consultation over eight years. This application concentrates on the site for the proposed Freight Management Facility [FMF] in the context of the overall Freight Management Strategy options [6.1 Environmental Statement – plate 3.3 page 12]. This releases 325 one-way HGV movements on a typical day [13.5 deliveries per hour = 1 every 4 minutes] and 500 on the busiest days [21 deliveries per hour = 1 every 3 minutes] over 24 hours. This will have a significantly detrimental impact on the local roads and the environment around the FMF. It is regrettable that SCDC did not support a web-based Delivery Management System [Volume 9 – 6.9 – Chapter 3 – 3.2.5 and 3.2.6 refers]. The Parish Council supports more emphasis being placed on the rail led option for the delivery of goods to the construction site. FREIGHT MANAGEMENT FACILITY 1. Book 6.9 Volume 8 – Local Environment Proposals to mitigate the harmful impact of this site set within the countryside and on a flat topography comprise a 3m high landscape bund [only to the west and partially to the east of the site], a 10m buffer zone and native trees/shrub planting [it is noted that a 1.8m security fence will encircle the site]. This is insufficient mitigation not to cause a nuisance: • Visual – as almost all the HGVs and buildings will be above the height of the bund there will be a visual impact. • Light – the lighting lanterns being 8m high at 4m spacing will clearly tower above the bund. Further mitigation is given to the use of a Central Management System, but it is difficult to assess effectiveness. Further mitigation relies on partial blockage by existing trees [mainly to the south] but this will be ineffective after leaf fall. • Noise and Vibration –background noise is mentioned but this is low level and constant. HGVs stopping and starting, cab doors banging, will be jarring. • Air Quality – Particular concern for nearby residents, along with other pollutants [above]. • When will planting take place and how long will it be before it matures to be an effective screen? 2. Book 8 [8.5] Traffic Assessment • Junction with A1156 [Section 9.30 – pages 472 to 478] – Junction 41 is described as “a simple priority T-junction” which is the problem. It will become dangerous with slow HGVs crossing the sweeping bend of a 60mph A-road. There is a ‘ghost island’ providing negligible protection for right turning vehicles. • Traffic from Port of Felixstowe using A14 Junction – on the busiest day, 75 journeys will originate form here. The junction to the Felixstowe Road is inadequate and positioned on a fast stretch of the A14. There is also concern about pollution and disturbance to residents living alongside this road. 3. 6.9 Volume 8 – Chapter 2 – 2.6.3 Return to Original Use including Felixstowe Road The intention to return the site to agricultural use AND reinstating the Felixstowe Road should be a legally binding commitment so avoiding a predatory planning authority or developers industrialising the countryside.