Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Disagree

Headcorn Parish Council is broadly comfortable with the wording of Policy TR9: Dayrooms and amenity blocks. However, it considers that TR9 Part 1.a would be improved if “single storey” were moved to the start of the paragraph, or were set out as a separate subclause. 10 The parts of the subclause before and after “single storey” are linked and should be read together, while the single storey requirement is a standalone requirement. Headcorn Parish Council does not support the proposed use of semi-detached amenity blocks proposed in the supporting text and accompanying diagrams. Headcorn Parish Council considers that semi-detached amenity blocks as envisaged are likely to become a source of tension within sites, which would be contrary to the requirements for sustainability from a social perspective. In addition, the suggested layout shown in the diagrams within the supporting text would also fail to support renewable energy options, as only one side of the building will be suitable for solar panels, and that side will also benefit from better access to natural light. The proposals would therefore be contrary to the requirement for sustainability from an environmental perspective. Headcorn Parish Council considers that the detriments experienced by one family in each semi-detached block (as shown) means that a terraced design for amenity blocks might be more effective, if a cost effective solution was needed. A terraced design would have several potential benefits over the illustrated semi-detached amenity blocks:  all families would benefit from the same ability to capture solar energy and to benefit from natural daylight;  it would reduce the span of any party walls, and with appropriate layout design could reduce potential sources of tension such as noise, as well as making it easier for individual families to repair and maintain their own section of the building (such as dealing with issues in the roof), without the need for joint agreement;  the building would be narrower, reducing the roof height and therefore visual impact on the countryside;  the building could be designed in a way that would mimic agricultural buildings, such as stables, rather than small squat buildings that are out of keeping with the built environment in the countryside around Maidstone and in particular within Headcorn Parish. Headcorn Parish Council notes that the diagrams for semi-detached amenity blocks are taken from Leeds Council. It notes that the built environment in Leeds is likely to be very different from Maidstone, and is a reason why the approach may be successful in Leeds, but not in Maidstone. In order for policy TR9 to be justified, Headcorn Parish Council therefore considers that changes to the proposed approach are needed.