Freedom of Information Request 00

Environmental Information Regulations 2004

Information Request: 2541296

Date of Request: 11th February 2015 Date of Disclosure: 11th March 2015

Request

“I would like to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act for copies of all correspondence relating to planning application 03/2163/14/O between:-

Richard Jackson and PCL Planning Ltd Richard Jackson and Richard Mays”

Response

We have completed a search as requested and no emails have been sent or received between Richard Jackson and Richard Mays. However the Council has identified the following correspondence between Richard Jackson and employees of PCL Planning Ltd which is provided below.

Information marked ***PCL has been removed as we consider it constitutes personal data of PCL employees. Information marked ***DCC has been removed as we consider it constitutes personal data of DCC employees. We feel disclosure of this information would breach the first principle of the Data Protection Act. Therefore this information is the subject of the exception from disclosure at Regulation 12 (3) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

For attachment Please click on red coloured link.

From: ***PCL Sent: 29 May 2014 10:23 To: Richard Jackson Cc: ***PCL; ***PCL Subject: RE: Proposed Junction Realignment for Great Court Farm, Totnes

Dear Richard,

Thank you very much for your comments last week. I will be responding to your queries below in the same order as stated in your e-mail.

Re: the length of the yellow box we will prepare an alternative version of this with a shorter yellow box for your review.

Re: visibility we will be preparing a drawing showing visibility splays plotted on a 1:500 scaled drawing as required. This will also show the red/blue line and will include a long section showing the vertical alignment.

Re: the sun glare study, we have looked into this. This is a very unusual request that neither ***PCL nor myself have ever been asked about this kind of study before. We have been advised that these studies, when required, involve the development of new roads and/or junctions, which is something that we are not doing in our case. This has never been raised as an issue in any of the meetings or public consultations held to date, and accident records do not show any issues re: sun glare. The junction is included within a 30mph speed limit area, and the Highway Code requires drivers to slow down and even stop when affected by sun glare. We would like to know further about the need to prepare this study and what is expected to come from it as we are not clear about the outcomes of this study on an existing road and junction.

We have already commissioned a Stage 1 RSA for both junctions as requested by yourself and these will be carried out next week. As this is for an outline application we are happy to provide the Stage 1 RSA as stated in the DMRB HD 19/03, however we do not quite understand the need to provide for a Stage 2 RSA at this moment as this is for an outline planning application and we are not preparing a detailed junction design at this stage.

Could you please let us know if this is acceptable. I will come back to you with the provision of the additional information as stated in the above paragraphs.

Best regards,

***PCL Principal Transport Planner PCL TRANSPORT PLANNING LTD

From: Richard Jackson Sent: 20 May 2014 10:22 To: ***PCL Cc: ***PCL; Darren Cole Subject: FW: Proposed Junction Realignment for Great Court Farm, Totnes

Dear ***PCL,

Many thanks for the drawings and figures. I have consulted the traffic engineer at DCC and his comments are below.

Notwithstanding Mike’s question below over whether the box is appropriate, if it is decided to go with a shorter yellow box it should be noted - Traffic regulation orders are not needed in order to install yellow box markings, although the police should always be consulted.

I note your comments about visibility and I would like to see the splay plotted on a 1:500 scaled drawing. I would also like to have sight of a red/blue line boundary plan to be sure the land required for the works is within the applicant’s control. It would also be useful to see a visibility splay long section in relation to the road vertical alignment. Also it would be useful if you could try and demonstrate how the sun affects drivers visibility at the key times of the day.

As can be seen below both Mike and myself will require an independent Stage 1 and 2 safety Audit and designers response for both new scheme proposals. I would like to see this in advance of the Planning Application submission.

Many thanks,

Richard Jackson

Senior Highways Development Management Officer

From: ***PCL Sent: Mon 19/05/2014 15:24 To: Richard Jackson Cc: ***PCL Subject: Proposed Junction Realignment for Great Court Farm, Totnes

Dear Richard,

I hope you are doing very well.

Following the public consultation and general issues raised we have examined the realignment of the existing junction between Blackpost Lane and the A385 Totnes Road and we have widened the junction taking some land to the east of the junction, in order to incorporate a flare lane for up to two vehicles for right turning traffic from Blackpost lane onto the A385. This will improve junction performance and will facilitate the manoeuvring of large vehicles leaving Blackpost Lane, especially buses turning right onto the A385.

The widening of the junction also allows more space for vehicles turning left from the A385 onto Blackpost Lane, which was noticed during the site visits as large vehicles had difficulty manoeuvring to access Blackpost Lane. This improvement is corroborated in the tracking that has been prepared and that is shown in the drawing attached. A yellow box is also proposed to facilitate vehicles getting in and out of Blackpost Lane in the periods with higher volumes of traffic flows.

The junction performs adequately at the main AM peak time (08:00-09:00). The flare lane has provided a betterment when compared to the existing situation, and even with the impact caused by the proposed development (and based on a worst case scenario of 83 residential dwellings) the junction will perform better in the future scenario (2019). The survey data used (from the traffic count surveys at the junctions of the A385 Totnes Road with Blackpost Lane and Weston Lane, carried out on the 29th of April 2014), along with the trip generation (based on the latest TRICS database v. 7.1.1) and the results of the junction modelling (using the latest PICADY version) are also attached to this e-mail.

The visibility splays at the junction also comply with the standards as set out in the DMRB document for trunk roads. Under DMRB, visibility splays under a 30mph speed limit should be provided for a minimum of 70 metres on both directions. Furthermore, the 85th percentile speed surveys recorded at the survey undertaken by DCC between the 08th and the 14th of March 2014 were of 34.2mph (on both directions as provided in the survey), and are also attached to this e-mail. This would require visibility splays of 81 metres under a worst case scenario, which would also be complied with by the existing visibility splays.

The improvements at Blackpost Lane will be further enhanced by providing only a “left turn in” approach at the junction of the A385 Totnes Road with Weston Lane to minimise any concerns of highway safety in the proximities to the junction leading to Berry Pomeroy. This suggestion was well received at the public consultation.

To sum up, the proposed layout for the Blcakpost Lane junction will:

- Comply with the visibility splay standards stated in the DMRB document

- Provide a wider area for the manoeuvring of large vehicles operating at the junction - Performs adequately with the flare lane provided at the Blackpost approach to the junction at the Future + Development traffic scenario - Facilitate the operation of vehicles in and out thanks to the provision of a yellow box - Reduce highway concerns on the Weston Lane junction by allowing only a “left turn in” approach from the A385 onto Weston Lane

We trust that the proposed measures are appropriate for the scale of the development. We would be grateful if you could let us know whether this satisfies the requirements for the proposed development.

Best regards,

***PCL Principal Transport Planner PCL TRANSPORT PLANNING LTD

From: Richard Jackson Sent: 07 January 2015 09:11 To: ***PCL Cc: ***PCL Subject: RE: Great Court Farm - information for Committee Meeting

Dear ***PCL,

Many thanks for the update. I have let the Planning Officer know also. I look forward to receiving the extra plans etc. Please bear in mind I have no plotter in my office so A3 would be ideal.

Kind regards,

Richard Jackson Senior Highways Development Management Officer

From: ***PCL Sent: 06 January 2015 16:30 To: Richard Jackson Cc: ***PCL Subject: Great Court Farm - information for Committee Meeting

Dear Richard,

Many thanks for your call this morning informing me of the latest developments for Great Court Farm. I have now spoken to ***PCL and ***PCL regarding our phone conversation on the two issues mentioned, and which are further discussed in the points below:

1. Vehicular and pedestrian access to the site off Blackpost Lane

PCL Transport Planning will design two different options accommodating the vehicular access arrangements as discussed with you.

The two options will take into account the pedestrian access regarding whether the land to the south of the oak tree is owned by Highways or not.

A Stage 1 Road Safety Audit will be undertaken to assess the change in priority at the Blackpost Lane/Courtfield junction.

We will work towards having these documents completed by next week.

2. Provision of pedestrian refuge island on the A385 Totnes Road

We have been looking at the provision of the pedestrian refuge island just to the east of the A385/Blackpost Lane junction. We have identified the location as being within the bus stops, just in front of the footpath to the south of Blackpost Lane.

We have identified a number of issues that we believe affects the provision of the refuge island as follows:

a. There is a large manhole cover in the middle of the road between the bus stops. b. The refuge island would have a private drive just to the west of the island. c. The refuge island would not let vehicles to overtake a stationary bus, which could cause highway safety concerns, and would also aggravate vehicle queues along the A385 and, at peak times, could be a cause of concern for vehicles travelling between Blackpost Lane and the A385. d. In order to avoid the manhole cover, the refuge island should be placed further east, and this would take the refuge island by the bus stop serving eastbound services, resulting in stationery buses overhanging the refuge island and preventing pedestrians to cross. e. The provision of refuge islands would raise highway safety concerns for cyclists (especially for those travelling uphill to the east). LTN 2/95 recommends minimum lane widths of 4 to 4.5m to ensure that vehicles can overtake cyclists without endangering them. If this is not met, 1.5m cycle bypasses should be provided.

Hope this helps. Please let me know of any further progress on these matters.

Best regards,

***PCL Principal Transport Planner PCL TRANSPORT PLANNING LTD

From: Richard Jackson Sent: 14 April 2014 16:17 To: '***PCL' Cc: '***PCL'; ***DCC Subject: RE: Great Court Farm: transport work updates from PCL Transport Planning

Dear ***PCL,

Following our meeting at SHDC I decided to go and look at the possibility of a right turn lane on the A385 at the Black Post Lane junction and unfortunately I can confirm the A385 road is too narrow to safely accommodate one at this point. I also decided to visit the junction at both the am peak and pm peak hour. As you have correctly identified there were significant queues due to right turners having difficulty turning out. Having undertaken the manoeuvre myself I do believe there are many factors that contribute to this difficulty. These can be summarised as the alignment of the junction, gradient of the A385 and existing junction available visibility, which all contribute to drivers struggling to get out of the junction.

On leaving Blackpost Lane I did drive towards Paignton and noticed the field and hedge on the right was quite straight. There is a possibility that a new junction may be possible at this point with careful consideration (Please see attached plan). I note your client owns the land to achieve such a new junction. The new junction would be on a flatter stretch of the A385, it could be aligned properly in a perpendicular fashion and also provide adequate visibility splays. All of which would provide better capacity. This may also mean that the existing Black Post Lane junction could be permanently stopped up to vehicular traffic at its north western end. Cycle and pedestrian access could remain.

I would be interested to hear your clients views on this proposal bearing in mind the results of your capacity analysis raise a concern for the Highway Authority.

The aforementioned comments and views are given on an informal basis only and will not prejudice any decision the County Council makes in the event of the submission of a planning application.

Kind Regards,

Richard Jackson Senior Highways Development Management Officer

From: ***PCL Sent: 14 April 2014 11:47 To: Richard Jackson Cc: ***PCL Subject: Great Court Farm: transport work updates from PCL Transport Planning

Dear Richard,

It was great to meet you personally at the pre-application enquiry meeting in Totnes last 01 April 2014.

As agreed with yourself at the meeting I would like to set out below the scope of works that we are following and following your early discussions with ***PCL. Please let us know your comments and any queries you may have in order to adjust our Transport Assessment to the requirements.

Speed surveys:

- Two surveys undertaken for the junctions of Weston Lane/A385 and Blackpost Lane/A385. First one undertaken by PCL Transport Planning on the 05/02/2014. Second one commissioned by DCC from the 08/03/2014 to 14/03/2014. - The results of the survey from DCC for the Blackpost Lane junction are only provided as an average for both directions and the 85th percentile speeds are slightly higher than the survey undertaken by ourselves (and almost identical when compared within the same timeframes). The results are 34mph for the DCC results and 31 and 32 per direction in our survey. - The results shown by DCC for the Weston Lane junction were actually taken from a radar located 130 metres to the west of the junction, and therefore there is a significant difference in terms of 85th percentile speeds due to the much closer location of the Weston Lane junction to the bend and the junction leading to Berry Pomeroy (39mph for DCC counts and 27 and 28mph per direction in our survey).

Traffic surveys:

- One traffic survey undertaken at the junctions of Weston Lane/A385 and Blackpost Lane/A385 on the 01/04/2014 for the Weston Lane junction and 02/04/2014 for the Blackpost Lane junction for the AM peak time (08:00-09:00). - A second traffic survey has been commissioned to 360TSL. This will comprise the same two junction and will be undertaken after the Easter Bank Holidays. - An initial capacity analysis for both junctions has been prepared based on the results of the surveys undertaken by ourselves.

Trip generation and distribution:

- Trip generation will be based on the TRICS database and adjusted to the particular requirements of the site once the exact number of dwellings have been defined. - This will be based on the 2001 Census Data already considered for the previous Riverside TA. The new Census Data by ward for 2011 is expected to be available later on this year. - The committed developments in the local area including the Riverside development will be taken from the Riverside TA. We are happy to review these numbers with yourself and adjust them if you considered it more convenient. - Further developments being undertaken outside of Totnes (such as in the Paignton area) will be included as part of the TEMPRO database within the traffic growth section of the report. - We are not considering to include the tourist season within the TA. Our peak scenario for the assessment will be based on the AM peak, which is unlikely to be much affected by tourists travel as these tend to travel later on the day. The capacity of the A385 at peak times is already significant.

Walking and Cycle Review:

- A Walking and Cycle Review will be prepared based on a site visit undertaken on the 19/02/2014 and that included the surrounding area to the Great Court Farm site, as well as four different walking routes between the site and Totnes town centre.

Accident data:

- Accident data from 2010 to 2012 has been obtained from DCC. - This shows that only one slight accident have occurred because of the Blackpost Lane junction with the A385 when one vehicle collided with the one in front when the latter one slowed to allow a vehicle to pull out from Blackpost Lane. - Three more accidents happened between the junctions with Blackpost Lane and Weston Lane, two of them due to temporary/emergency vehicles on the road and not related to the operation of the junctions. The third accident was a case of road rage afer an argument with drivers ramming their vehicles into each other. - The junction of Weston Lane with the A385 towards Berry Pomeroy includes a number of accidents for the years considered but these are not explicitly related to the traffic from Bridgetown.

Capacity analysis:

- An initial capacity analysis has been undertaken to determine the performance of the Weston Lane/A385 and the Blackpost Lane/A385 junction. - This has considered a base scenario taking the traffic surveys undertaken by PCL Transport Planning on the 01/04/2014 and the 02/04/2014. - It has included an initial trip generation based on 80 dwellings, and has included the data from the Riverside development and other committed developments as assessed within the Riverside TA. - The results from the Weston Lane junction shows that the maximum RFC of 17% for Weston Lane and the queues are negligible as the only traffic that happens at the junction is related from the A385 East towards Totnes using Weston Lane and Bridgetown as a shortcut when the road gets busy during the AM peak. - The results from the Blackpost Lane junction show that a few queues occur at the Blackpost Lane junction between 08:00 and 08:45 due to some right turns from Blackpost Lane onto the A385, and no queues happen between 08:45 and 09:00. In terms of maximum RFC, this is well over capacity during 08:00-08:15, it is just over capacity between 08:15-08:30 with 86% of capacity, and has ample capacity available between 08:30 and 09:00 hours. In reality, the junction works better than the model shows due to the behaviour of drivers commuting on the A385 and that facilitate drivers to get in and out of Blackpost Lane.

Potential measures considered:

- Two access points: The site will have two different vehicle access points with no internal connection between them. - Courtfield access points: No vehicle access is being considered along Courtfield to minimise vehicle traffic impact in this residential area. Only walking and cycle access will be provided. - Traffic calming: No traffic calming is being considered along the A385 as this is a strategic highway network. - One way approach on Weston Lane: An only “left in left out” approach could be considered on Weston Lane. This could also comprise an only “left in” approach turning the northern section of Weston Lane into a one-direction road.

- Yellow box: The provision of a yellow box on the A386 at the junction with Blackpost Lane is being considered to facilitate vehicles turning in and out of Blackpost Lane on the periods with higher volumes of traffic flows. - Right turn lane on the A385: A right turn lane for vehicles turning right onto Blackpost Lane was mentioned in the pre-application meeting. We will speak about the feasibility of having this in due to the narrow carriageway width available. - Two-lane approach on Blackpost Lane: The give-way approach from Blackpost Lane to the A385 is over 20 metres wide. Currently, vehicles turning right onto the A385 have been observed to slow down vehicles turning left at this junction. The existing layout could be rearranged to be more efficient for people accessing the A385 from Blackpost Lane without having a negative impact on people accessing Blackpost Lane from the A385. - Traffic lights: The installation of traffic lights at the Blackpost Lane junction are not considered as the benefits of these were unclear. - Bus routes: There are two current bus services turning right from Blackpost Lane onto the A385. These will be reviewed with yourself to assess the suitability of these routes and other alternative options. - Park and Ride: In case a Park and Ride is proposed just to the north of the site the convenience and impact of this will be assessed. - Contributions: The developer will be happy to negotiate regarding contributions for the Totnes Transport Strategy, and will be happy to provide for the contribution towards the promotion of public transport and cycle trips.

Should you have any questions regarding the above please do not hesitate to contact me.

I hope we can meet up soon in order to progress our work. Please let us know of any dates when it may be convenient for you to have a meeting.

Best regards,

***PCL Principal Transport Planner PCL TRANSPORT PLANNING LTD

From: Richard Jackson Sent: 02 June 2014 14:54 To: '***PCL' Subject: RE: Proposed Junction Realignment for Great Court Farm, Totnes

Thank you ***PCL.

Thanks for the update.

Kind regards,

Richard Jackson Senior Highways Development Management Officer

From: Richard Jackson Sent: 15 April 2014 14:39 To: '***PCL' Subject: RE: Great Court Farm: transport work updates from PCL Transport Planning 1*

Rough sketch.

Kind Regards,

Richard Jackson Senior Highways Development Management Officer

From: ***PCL Sent: 15 April 2014 11:33 To: Richard Jackson Cc: ***PCL Subject: RE: Great Court Farm: transport work updates from PCL Transport Planning

Dear Richard,

Thank you very much for your swift response and the attention given to this project.

We understand your concerns regarding the results of the capacity analysis together with the lack of enough space to accommodate a short right turn lane at the Blackpost Lane junction.

Your comments, as well as the concerns from the members of the public that we had at yesterday’s public consultation, are being considered.

We are already working out on two new options for access to the site, which will be sent to you for review once these have been finalised ensuring that the proposed and committed development traffic can be adequately accommodated regarding highway safety and congestion issues, and that these are feasible and viable for implementation.

We would be grateful if you could send us the attached plan that you mentioned in your e- mail from yesterday, but that didn’t reach us for some reason, so we would consider this as a third option to be examined.

Once we have further developed these options and sent them to you it would be good to arrange a meeting and discuss all the pros and cons associated with each option in order to come up with the preferred solution and way forward for the development of the scheme.

I will keep you updating with any news from our side.

Best regards,

***PCL Principal Transport Planner PCL TRANSPORT PLANNING LTD

From: Richard Jackson Sent: 14 April 2014 16:17 To: ***PCL Cc: ***PCL; ***DCC Subject: RE: Great Court Farm: transport work updates from PCL Transport Planning

Dear ***PCL,

I would be interested to hear your clients views on this proposal bearing in mind the results of your capacity analysis raise a concern for the Highway Authority.

The aforementioned comments and views are given on an informal basis only and will not prejudice any decision the County Council makes in the event of the submission of a planning application.

Kind Regards,

Richard Jackson

Senior Highways Development Management Officer

From: ***PCL Sent: 14 April 2014 11:47 To: Richard Jackson Cc: ***PCL Subject: Great Court Farm: transport work updates from PCL Transport Planning

Dear Richard,

It was great to meet you personally at the pre-application enquiry meeting in Totnes last 01 April 2014.

Speed surveys:

Traffic surveys:

Trip generation and distribution:

Walking and Cycle Review:

Accident data:

Capacity analysis:

Potential measures considered:

- Traffic calming: No traffic calming is being considered along the A385 as this is a strategic highway network. - One way approach on Weston Lane: An only “left in left out” approach could be considered on Weston Lane. This could also comprise an only “left in” approach turning the northern section of Weston Lane into a one-direction road. - Yellow box: The provision of a yellow box on the A386 at the junction with Blackpost Lane is being considered to facilitate vehicles turning in and out of Blackpost Lane on the periods with higher volumes of traffic flows. - Right turn lane on the A385: A right turn lane for vehicles turning right onto Blackpost Lane was mentioned in the pre-application meeting. We will speak about the feasibility of having this in due to the narrow carriageway width available. - Two-lane approach on Blackpost Lane: The give-way approach from Blackpost Lane to the A385 is over 20 metres wide. Currently, vehicles turning right onto the A385 have been observed to slow down vehicles turning left at this junction. The existing layout could be rearranged to be more efficient for people accessing the A385 from Blackpost Lane without having a negative impact on people accessing Blackpost Lane from the A385. - Traffic lights: The installation of traffic lights at the Blackpost Lane junction are not considered as the benefits of these were unclear. - Bus routes: There are two current bus services turning right from Blackpost Lane onto the A385. These will be reviewed with yourself to assess the suitability of these routes and other alternative options. - Park and Ride: In case a Park and Ride is proposed just to the north of the site the convenience and impact of this will be assessed. - Contributions: The developer will be happy to negotiate regarding contributions for the Totnes Transport Strategy, and will be happy to provide for the contribution towards the promotion of public transport and cycle trips.

Should you have any questions regarding the above please do not hesitate to contact me.

I hope we can meet up soon in order to progress our work. Please let us know of any dates when it may be convenient for you to have a meeting.

Best regards,

***PCL Principal Transport Planner PCL TRANSPORT PLANNING LTD

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