Representation by Matthew Illston-Barsby
- Date submitted
- 22 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am [redacted] and help to run her horse livery business which has been operating for the past 20 years. I do not agree with the planned development as it is not in the correct place for an infrastructure of this enormous scale. Burbage Common is a place for wildlife and public recreation which is very important in todays society with mental health issues a major concern. It is vital that a safe bridle path is always available as I hack my horse to the common on a regular basis, as does my wife and clients who stable their horses on our yard and many other people in the area. It is extremely popular and people come from all over to take advantage of all that the common has to offer. This is paramount in todays world when we are told that connecting with nature is the best therapy. There is no lack of employment in the area so I don’t see this being of benefit. There is no public transport in Elmesthorpe and there is a lack of pavements which makes it dangerous to walk through the village. We already suffer with the increase in traffic around the area and plans have already been passed for additional housing which will have an impact on overloaded roads. The location off the M69 Junction 2 is not suitable as when it as constructed there was no access south because the area roads would not cope with additional traffic. This will congest even more on the M1 intersection and the A47 major roads. The area already suffers from flooding on Burbage Common Road and Station Road Elmesthorpe on a regular basis. Stoney Stanton has already been affected and houses flooded. Sewerage will also be a problem adding to the overburdened system already. A planned crematorium on the edge of the village has not been able to continue for these very reasons. The visual impact of the rail terminal will be blot on the landscape and will be seen for miles around, next to a beauty spot and nature wildlife area Burbage Common. Air pollution from diesel trains, HGV’s plant and cars with increased traffic will impact enormously on all those living in this area, as it already has been monitored on the A47 and found to be above average! In todays world we are ever mindful of those who suffer from respiratory problems so should we be adding to this? The plans show the bridleway diversion alongside the M69 and the site to Junction 2 which will cause a problem for horses to cross over. You are providing a pelican crossing, this is unacceptable and dangerous. A bridge or underpass is the only other means for horses to cross safely. This has already been adopted on the A47 bypass. Wildlife and loss of farmland will affect the area massively. The soil from this development should not be removed off site as this would cause major transport problems and mess on the road during this operation. I have already mentioned the flooding so add soil to this and you have mud causing a danger to motorists, we have had fatalities in the village in the past due to this. The plans do not show any parking for employees and as previously mentioned we have no public transport in the area. We do not want access to Burbage Common Road for anyone other than the existing residents and clients of our livery business, a gate/barrier needs to be in place from the start if this development proceeds. However it is absolutely imperative that we and our clients have access to the common via a safe bridleway at all times and to be in place before any work commences. I cannot emphasize this enough, with the likelihood that this could take 10 years to build we do need reassurances from the start.