Report To: Housing & City Support
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Agenda Item 17 Report PC 67/14 Report to Planning Committee Date 10 July 2014 By Director of Planning Local Authority Lewes District Council Application Number SDNP/14/01443/FUL Applicant Ms S Thompson Application Construction of an 8.8 kilometre length of traffic-free path in two sections for shared use by walkers, cyclists and wheelchair uses. Address Ham Lane Lewes & Sites West Of River Ouse BN7 3PS Recommendation: That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in paragraph 10.1 of this report Executive Summary The application proposes the construction of two sections of a shared multi-use path measuring 8.8km in length between Lewes and Newhaven, known as the Egrets Way. It would join up with a section between Rodmell and Southease which has already been constructed. The path would be between 2.5-3m in width and is proposed to be finished in a gravel dressing. The application is considered as major development because of the site area and it has been assessed in the context of paragraph 116 of the NPPF. The development would complete the Lewes to Newhaven part of the Egrets Way and create better connectively between the two towns and would allow a safer and easily accessible route for people of all mobility to travel between the two towns, intervening villages and surrounding area more sustainably. Completing the route would accord with policy, as well as National Park purposes and the Partnership Management Plan. There would be no significant impact on highway safety, wildlife or cultural heritage. The application is reported to the Planning Committee because of the number of representations received to the application. 1. Site Description 1.1 The proposed 8.8km long route the subject of this application would run from Ham Lane to the south of Lewes, along the west bank of the River Ouse, through Piddinghoe village and to the south of Piddinghoe Lake to Elphick Road in Newhaven. The surrounding topography is generally flat and consists of a network of fields divided by ditches with few fences in the landscape and is typical of the Major River Floodplains character area as outlined in the South Downs Integrated Landscape Character Assessment. Along the route there are extensive views particular to the north towards Mount Caburn and Lewes. The route straddles the parish boundaries of Lewes, Rodmell, Southease and Piddinghoe. The northern section of the route is located within the Lewes Brooks SSSI and apart from the Piddinghoe village section the route is within Flood Zone 2 and 3. 1.2 Specifically the section at Ham Lane to the south of Lewes would follow the route of an existing public right of way to the east of the public amenity tip through a wooded area before passing under the A27 road bridge, where it would join the west bank of the River Ouse. 1.3 The route joins the C7 to the north of Piddinghoe village and passes through Piddinghoe 66 village along Cedarwell Close. The route exits the village to the south-east of the village along the access track leading to the Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club and passes to the south of Piddinghoe Lake before re-joining the west bank of the River Ouse and continuing south across agricultural fields. The last 410m of the proposed route to the north of Newhaven is outside of the SDNP and is already built to a good standard. 1.4 The surrounding area has an extensive bridleway and footpath network. A public footpath (18b) runs along the top of the embankment of the River Ouse adjacent to the proposed path. The South Downs Way passes across the grade II listed Southease swing bridge. 2. Relevant Planning History 2.1 SDNP/12/02080/FUL - Construction of a shared path for walking and cycling beside Kingston Road between Stanley Turner Recreation Ground and Wellgreen Lane. Approved November 2012 Once constructed this shared path would also form part of the Egrets Way. 2.2 SDNP/13/00854/FUL - Proposed construction of a section of bridleway alongside the River Ouse between a bridleway which runs from Rodmell Village to the river and the South Downs Way at Southease Swing Bridge. Approved April 2013 This section of the path has recently been completed and opened and forms part of the Egrets Way. 3. Proposal 3.1 The application seeks permission for the construction of an 8.8km length of multi-use path for use by walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users. The path would typically measure between 2.5-3m in width. The path is split into two sections either end of the path already approved under SDNP/13/00854/FUL. The northern section would run from Ham Lane, Lewes alongside the River Ouse for 3.45km to a point just south of Rodmell Pumping station where it would join with the section of path already granted consent. The southern part of the route would run from Southease Swing Bridge alongside the River Ouse for 2km before diverting to join the Piddinghoe Road and run 1.5km through Piddinghoe village along Cedarwell Close. The route would exit to the south-east of the village along the access track to the Seaford and Newhaven Sailing Club and continue to the south of Piddinghoe Lake where the route would re-join the bank of the River Ouse. The remaining 1.85km of the route would continue south towards Newhaven where it would join an existing 410m section to Robinson Road, Newhaven. 3.2 More specifically: Ham Lane, Lewes - the route would follow a public footpath which follows the boundary fence of the recycling site and then joins the west bank of the River Ouse and passes under the A27. This 430m section has an existing stone surface but would need pathside vegetation to be cut back. The stile would be replaced with easy-access gate or bollards. South of A27 – the public footpath runs on top of the flood defence bank; which is too narrow for a shared path. It is proposed to build a path at the landward foot of the flood bank of the River Ouse. This section would be 2840m long to Celery Sewer outfall. Iford and Rodmell – the path would be adjacent to the landward foot of the flood bank. A number of existing gates would be replaced with easy-access gates. Cattle grids would also be required for stock control which would replace existing five bar gates. Rodmell and Southease – granted consent and construction commenced. Southease to Piddinghoe – the land adjacent to Southease swing bridge is proposed to be regarded to provide a 1:12 slope, 24m in length, the slope would be constructed from chalk. From Southease Bridge the public footpath continues for 1730m along the west bank to join the C7 opposite Dean‟s Farm. A number of wooden pedestrian gates would be replaced. The river bank is not accessible for 700m between Dean Farm and Piddinghoe therefore the path would have to divert to the C7. Close to Dean Farm the 67 path would need to climb onto the flood bank and pass through pedestrian gates to the C7. The submitted plans show a shared path adjacent to the C7 to Piddinghoe village. It is also suggested to reduce the speed limit to 30mph reinforced with prominent warning signs between Dean Farm and Piddinghoe. A number of c-category trees are proposed to be felled near to Dean Farm to accommodate the path. Piddinghoe to Newhaven – the route would pass through Piddinghoe village along Cedarwell Close. The route would then pass along the existing access track to the Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club. Improvements are needed to the track and it is in private ownership. From the southeast corner of the lake to Riverside Park a new path would be needed for 420 m before the proposed route leave the river. At Riverside Park an existing track leads to Robinson Road, part of which is already a 3m wide surfaced path. 3.3 The route would form part of the Ouse Valley Cycle Network (OVCN). The OVCN organisation was formed three years ago and the OVCN project aims to create a network of safe multi user paths and provide a safe alternative to car travel for local journeys. These two sections would complete part of The Egrets Way, linking Lewes to Newhaven. The intention is to designate as much of the route as bridleway or permissive paths however this is dependant on landowners consent and East Sussex County Council. ESCC would not however be liable for ongoing maintenance; this would be funded by the OVCN and volunteer labour. 3.4 Along the route it is proposed that the existing topsoil would be stripped to provide a level surface with excavation of a maximum of 50mm, the excavated material would be used to support the edge of the path or spread locally. A permeable geotextile membrane and up to 150mm of well graded type 1 granular fill would be laid and rolled prior to a sealed „bitmac‟ surface with a gravel dressing being applied. Edging is not proposed, the path edges would be protected by laying a wider base layer which would then be covered with soil and left to vegetate over to soften the edges. 4. Consultations 4.1 Environment Agency: No objection subject to condition in relation to surfacing material Flood defence consent required for any proposed works or structures within 15m of the landward toe of the bank of the River Ouse. 4.2 County Highways: No objection In the interest of user safety it would be appropriate to have advisory notices along the Egret Way path connects to the highway or intersects with the highway.