Ordeal by Traffic? A solution

Huttonian has exercised something of a self denying ordinance on local planning matters as some people felt that membership of a council even at the lowest tier of local government should inhibit comment about matters discussed at the council which came to him in that privileged capacity. It was a bit of a non point as all council business is public and most if not all documents considered by the council were a matter of public record.

Huttonian can now abandon such inhibition thanks to a new website


http://eplanning1.scotborders.gov.uk/WAM/showCaseFile.do?appType=planning&appNumber=06/01476/OUT

which puts on public record not only all applications for planning but all ther comments made about the applications not only by official bodies such as the Hutton and Paxton Community Council (PBUI) but by Joe Public who may are may not be effected by the application. The link above (cut and paste into your browser if it is not seen as a 'hot' link) is all about a Fishwick Farmer who wishes to build a new road across part of his land to bypass a dangerous corner and a section of busy road pro bono publico ie in plain English to do a service for the local community. OK so far? But he needs to pay for the road out of his own money as this new stretch of tarmac will not be funded by the Scottish Borders Council. Still with me? Now, as it happens the proposed new road will run across the said Farmer's field thus making the portion of the field cut off from the rest difficult to farm and therefore suitable, yes you have guessed it, for development. Development equals housing and his application is for 6 dwellings. Outline planning permission at this stage.

I earnestly suggest you take the time to read the whole correspondence to unravel what theTory(Scottish Borders) Councillor for these parts might call the conundrum. You could then ask yourselves the following questions;

(a) Is a new stretch of road really necessary and is the traffic really that bad(read what the Community Council says about this)Consider also from Huttonians own observations that the vehicle movements around the 'dangerous' corner are unlikely to exceed 20 a day. Dangerous corner? I would put it well down the list of 'dangerous corners' around here. Even with the very faint chance of meeting a car coming the other direction the corner is bordered by a garden with a fence through which it is easy enough to see traffic coming in both directions. How do I know? I have tried it. In two hours (in separate visits) of observation and walking along the entire road to the Tweed (it stops there as otherwise you would get wet-its nota through road. I saw one car moving and it did not go as far as the 'dangerous' stretch

(b) What do the locals want? Our Tory Councillor attaches great importance to this aspect as part of his pragmatic approach. Read their comments bearing in mind that they will be living in an even less traffic zone and their horrific journey all of 100 yards to the main Berwick -Swinton road will be free of all cars except their own. What would you say in their shoes? And Nota Bene-only one respondent mentioned new houses -to be against them. Were they all answering the right question or were they just thinking about the road.

(c) Will the Said Farmer cover his costs, lose money or make a whacking great killing? Assuming at current prices each building plot with outline planning permission goes for something between £120,000 and £150,000 and bearing in mind that the new stretch of road is about 200 yards (look at the plans) you will need to reach your own judgment about this.

(d) If the road is not necessary then the case for this new housing in the country side falls flat.

(e) So is this a genuine road safety measure or a ploy to build housing?

(f) And if it succeeds might other farmers follow suit as away of circumventing the local plan?

You tell me.  ¶ 2:09 PM