This is our letter of objection to Stirling council - feel free to plagiarize Dear Ms Brooks-Burnett PLANNING APPLICATION 14/00742/FUL OBJECTION We refer to the above Planning Application submitted by Paterson’s Quarries Ltd and wish to register our objection. My wife and I reside at 49 Polmaise Road, Stirling and consequently, are on the route being proposed by this Company. If they are allowed, Paterson’s Quarries Limited will extract 300,000 tonnes of quarry stone from Murrayshall Quarry each year for the next 40 years. Worded differently, they will remove 12 MILLION tonnes, ALL of which will be transported by road. To achieve this they state that there will be 132 Heavy Goods Vehicles per day, each carrying between 20 and 29 tonnes of quarry stone on the outward journey travelling initially through Stirling in order to reach the Motorway network and thereafter returning. Worded slightly differently, this represents a minimum of 30,000 Heavy Goods Vehicles per annum or an overwhelming 1.2 MILLION HGV movements over the 40 year period. The Stirling Council Modified Local Development Plan – August 2014 has an overarching policy of adherence to the principles of the National Planning Framework proposal for a Central Scotland Green Network, with relevant contributions to local and national Green Network objectives. As local residents we are aware of the Council’s efforts in trying to reduce its ‘carbon footprint’ and question how much of this effort will be neutralised by the emissions caused by the 1.2 million additional Heavy Goods Vehicle movements which form part of this application. From the very outset it is obvious that this level of haulage cannot be environmentally friendly and conflicts with the Council’s Development Plan. We are sure you will be well aware that the initial part of this route is along Polmaise Road, Stirling, which is an entirely unsuitable, unclassified, country lane immediately adjacent to which are a number of residential dwelling houses. This country lane is much used by walkers; cyclists; and equestrians all of whom enjoy the area because of its peace; tranquillity and spectacular views. It is very clear that Paterson’s Quarries Ltd have little or no regard for those people who reside in the ten or so properties which have frontages onto Polmaise Road in this Tinker’s Loan area and whose quality of life is going to be significantly impacted upon; nor do they truly appreciate the impact this will have on us, the general public, who use the country lane for leisure and recreation. We have walked our children and subsequently grandchildren along this relatively quiet road for many years but would not be prepared to risk their safety if we were potentially going to be confronted by any one of the 132 Heavy Goods Vehicles using this route daily, half of which would be fully laden. How Paterson’s Quarries Ltd can reach a conclusion that there would be no significant impact on the local community as a result of this phenomenal increase in HGV traffic beggars belief. Polmaise Road also serves as the main corridor for the significant number of school pupils of St. Ninians Primary School and Stirling High School who stay in the Cambusbarron; Kenningknowes; ConeyPark; and Grampian Road areas of the City and as such, brings these children into potential conflict with obvious danger. These children have no choice other than to cross Polmaise Road at some point en route to school and Stirling Council and its planners have a duty of care in respect of their safe passage. The proposed route passes a Hospital; Children’s Nursery; sheltered accommodation; and the City’s prestigious Public Park before reaching the first classified road, the B8051, at Victoria Place, which could be described as one of the nicest streets in the City, bounded by substantial residential properties on one side and the Park and Golf Course on the other. The nature and construction of the road network described above renders it entirely unsuitable for the purpose, type and volume of traffic being proposed and, from a Road Safety perspective alone, conflicts substantially with National and Local Policies. Planners only have to read Stirling Council’s published Road Safety Plan 2011-2015 to see the conflict between this and Paterson’s Quarries Ltd. proposals. While we have no wish to be proved correct, the potential impact and costs associated with a fatal road accident should not be lost in this debate. As we speak there is evidence of one poor soul having lost his life on Sheriffmuir Road, Bridge of Allan, a quiet country lane in the Stirling area in the last week after being struck by a Heavy Goods vehicle whilst riding his motorised scooter. We see no evidence to show how, if approved, this will bring any real economic benefit to the community. They mention the creation of a few jobs at the quarry but fail to justify why there is a real need for this type of quarry stone which, from our perspective, doesn’t seem to be unique. What they don’t mention is the financial benefits they will reap as a Company. We are however convinced that, if approved, it will have a major effect on the public purse because of the effect these Heavy Goods vehicles will have on the road network and the local authorities’ responsibility to maintain same. Ironically it will be us, the local residents who will have to fund the costs of repairs! What it will do is seriously impact of the quality of life for those people who are unfortunate enough to reside in the many properties immediately adjoining the route; it will effectively create a ‘no go’ area on the initial part of the route near Tinker’s Loan because of the dangers of being struck by Heavy Goods vehicles; and create a real danger to the schoolchildren and others who have no choice but to cross Polmaise Road at some point en route to school. We see no information describing what route Paterson’s Quarries Ltd would propose to utilise if there was a critical incident on any part of their proposed route. If, for example, Victoria Place was closed, are we to expect their fleet to travel through the very centre of the City? Are we being cynical by suggesting that they avoid the subject of mitigation by making sweeping and inaccurate statements regarding the allegedly insignificant levels of impact their proposals will have on the local environment and community. If planners were starting with a clean sheet of paper and determining a route to accommodate in excess of 30,000 twenty tonnes Heavy Goods Vehicles per annum carrying quarried stone, the route being proposed would be the LAST to be considered and there is no realistic alternative. The Stirling Council Modified Local Development Plan, referred to earlier in this letter, states that Developments will require to demonstrate a reinforcement of a sense of place, integration with neighbouring areas and the wider community. There is absolutely nothing in Paterson’s Quarries Ltd application which suggest any re-inforcement of a sense of place; integration with neighbouring areas; and integration with the wider community. On the contrary, they show scant disregard for the history of Gillies Hill; total disregard for the residents; disregard for the environment as a whole and for the flora and fauna in this specific area; and abject disregard for road safety. Stirling Council and its Planning advisors have a responsibility for the implementation of Policy and do not have far to look in respect of the many areas in which Paterson’s Quarries Ltd proposals are in conflict with the strategic objectives which were formulated by this Council in the best interests of its residents.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 19:15:42 +0000
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