Representation by Mr JP Bainbridge (Mr JP Bainbridge)
- Date submitted
- 31 August 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Mr and Mrs Bainbridge reside in (REACTED) and manage the property as a commercial farm, as well as let residential properties and a holiday lettings business. Plus let the buildings at the property for business use. Mr and Mrs Bainbridge had concerns about the proposed new access route to Browson Bank to the east which would have resulted in extended travel times when they were travelling west. We understand the proposed plans have now changed and a slip road will be created onto the A66 from Browson Bank to travel west, this is the preferable option for Mrs and Mrs Bainbridge. With this access, it is important to consider that any access route to Browson Bank will need to be at least 4 metres wide to accommodate large farm machinery and HGV’s. In relation to the balance ponds, we propose that these are not located on Mr Bainbridge’s land but on the northern side of the road so that the water drains to the Tees rather than the Swale which is prone to flooding. If the ponds must be located on the southern side of the road, it is our preference that they should be located on the more southerly proposed point to prevent using commercial arable farmland, visually impacting Browson Farmhouse, and cottages and to limit the ground works required. If the balancing ponds were at the more southerly point, there will also need to be arrangements made regarding the access route. The proposal suggests the track will be raised up above the ground level but, in our opinion, it does not need to be and can follow the current gradient of the land, reducing construction costs and the visual impact. There must also be a retained right of access to Mr Bainbridge’s retained land to the west. The plans show there is a wetland habitat planned to be created around the location of the drainage ponds. The majority is to be located in the Black Woodland Plantation, with a proportion extending out of this to the southeast. Our opinion is that this should not go ahead. Most of the land is planned to be restocked as woodland and is obligated to be replanted under a Forestry Commission grant scheme. Mr and Mrs Bainbridge are strongly opposed to creating a wetland habitat because, the area is not suitable for that use, it will affect good quality arable land and also impact the main access route through the farm. Generally, the proposals will have significant landscape and visual impacts on the local area which will need to be considered. The woodland planting area located to the west of the Browson Bank access road is agreed to in principle as it will minimise the visual and noise impact from the road. However, careful planning is needed to allow access through the plantation to retained land to the west and how it is used to protect views to the north due to the steep incline.