Object

Draft Local Plan - Supplementary Consultation

Representation ID: 8743

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Councillor Max McLoughlin

Representation Summary:

Would result in harm to heritage asset Berkswell Windmill, including disruption of wind flow. Development would have detrimental impact on local biodiversity due to impact on protected species which cannot easily be mitigated. Buffer zone around the woodland is not being respected sufficiently. Site performs poorly with regard to connectivity to centre.

Full text:

No. It should be removed
The reasons for removal pertain to historic, environmental and ecological detrimental impacts. The historic value of the Berkswell Windmill should not be harmed. Development in the close vicinity of it will disrupt wind-flow and have the potential to prevent the sails from ever turning again.
Whilst the historic impact on the windmill is important, the ecological impact on the habitat of the protected species of newts cannot be easily mitigated. Development here would have a detrimental impact on local biodiversity, with little potential for successful mitigation off-site.
Finally, the buffer zone around the woodland is not being respected sufficiently. These factors against also tie-in with poorer performance as a site, with regard to connectivity to the centre of the settlement. As such it should be removed and alternative site(s) found.