The
Environment
Many of us
live in Cottesmore because we are attracted to and value the environment. But
what is it we value, what is threatened and needs to be protected, and how should
we invest to create improvements or new assets?
The
environment covers many different aspects, some of which we can see, and some
we can’t. When we think about the environmental aspects of the Neighbourhood
Plan, we need to include:
Biodiversity- all living things, wildlife, nature
conservation and habitats. Think about birdsong, butterflies, bats and maybe
rare species. All wild animals need the
right habitats- woodland, meadow, water etc.
Do we value nature, what is threatened, and what habitats might we want
to create or enhance- in the village and in the countryside around?
Heritage- this is our historic environment,
old and listed buildings, the historic road pattern, remnants of the past,
underground archaeology and historic field patterns and woodland for example. How important are the village’s heritage and
historic features to you, how do we ensure historic character is not lost and
what do we need to do in the Plan?
Village character- we see wildlife and some historic
features, but the environment we experience and value includes other things as
well, such as unfolding and framed views, special landmarks, canopies of trees,
newer built features, unspoilt views, the rural setting and the overall
character of the village and the countryside.
What do we value, and what needs to be improved? Do we want a more beautiful village with
better architecture, landscape design, lighting, maintenance and more sensitive
engineering design? How do we avoid poor
design and a gradual dilution of character?
Energy and Climate Change- the world needs to switch towards
less reliance on fossil fuels, with lower carbon emissions, and we need more
efficient use of energy and more sources of renewable energy. Some communities may want to move towards
‘carbon neutrality’ or generate their own renewable energy. Others want to plan
for more ‘resilience’ as the climate changes . Should these possibilities be
part of our Plan?
Noise and pollution- we don’t have the levels of noise
and air pollution that many cities have, but we have a ‘through road’ in the
village and maybe other sources of pollution.
A cleaner and more tranquil environment could be a goal in the Plan. How much of an issue is this for you?
A healthy, walkable, more social
village- would you
like a village which offers more opportunities to live a more active and healthy
life? Do we want more circular walks,
better access to the countryside, a play area for children in a ‘village green’,
fitness classes, somewhere to run, safer cycling, allotments, places to sit and
meet people or other opportunities to be feel better about life by being closer
to a good environment?
There are many other ways of thinking
about and planning for a good environment. For the Plan, first decide what is important
and needs to be protected. Then think
about improving things to make them better. Finally, fire up your imagination
and think about what new we could create.
Daphne Lees Chris Whitton
Jack Wood Chris Donovan
(Lead)
Frank
Chivers
Traffic
Subjects identified:
• Speeding of
traffic, particularly along the B668
• Role within
strategic road network
• Traffic
requirements from development
• Road
traffic accident history
• Road safety
and signage
It was acknowledged that the main road through the village
unlikely to have a changed designation, but it is signed from Oakham as the
route for all traffic (including HGV’s) to the A1 northwards. Last regular Leicestershire Police Survey was
in 2011. Need to assess information from
this. Also need information on the
origin/destination of HGV traffic through the village to understand which is
through traffic to the A1 and which has a more local destination.
Issues for Consultation
1. Does traffic
need to be slowed down through the village and what type of measures would you
favour?
2. Are the 30
mph signs in the correct position, i.e. should they be further back,
particularly on Burley Road (east bound) and Market Overton Road (southbound).
3. Should
attempts be made to deliver pressure to alter the signing priorities for the
A!, so that traffic is directed to A606.
Parking
Subjects identified:
• Importance
of maintaining car parking in centre of village
• Other
parking areas
• Role of car
park in Mill Street; role of Village Hall car park
• Parking
area outside The Sun
Issues for Consultation
4. Is there
sufficient parking in the heart of the village around the Post Office Shop/
Fish ‘n Chip shop? If more required where would it go?
5. Should there
be improvements to parking in the centre of the front of The Sun? If so what
should happen?
6. Are there
other car parking areas that could play an improved role in supporting the village, for example, by improving
linkage or better signing. Locations
would include the car park at
the Village Community Hall, the car park on Mill Street etc.
Road lay-out considerations
The group also discussed the existing road lay-out
throughout the Parish.
Areas identified:
• “The
Spinney” – where road from Market Overton meets B668
• Where Exton
Road joins the B668
Issues for Consultation
7. Should there
be changed alignment to make the area safer and clearer where Market Overton Road, Ashwell Road and Main
Road all come together? In particular,
to improve sight lines and
simplify the junction options. What ways
could these be improved?
8. Traffic
turning right into Exton Road from the Toll Bar (B668) is crossing with limited
visibility until quite
late. Would traffic calming at this
point be of help and, if so, what?
[Also note
issue relating to pedestrian crossing – see next section].
Footpaths/Pedestrian
Movement
Subjects included:
• Locations
in the centre of the village where footway ceases to exist.
• Parking on
footways throughout the village – limiting access for emergency vehicles.
• Condition
of footpaths
• Linkage of
footpaths to surrounding area and wider footpath network
• Pedestrian
crossing points
Issues for Consultation
10. Should more
work be done on clearing footpaths and should there be more metalled areas (as, for example, on north
side of Burley Road)?
11. Should
footpaths be linked better to wider Rutland footpath network?
12. Are there
places in Cottesmore where footpath links should be improved and/or provided. Also
consideration needs to be given to improved lighting/facilities (e.g. Clatterpot Lane)?
Cycling/Horse Riding
Issues for Consultation
13. Should there
be separate facilities for cycles on the highway and, if so, where in the village?
14. Should
bridleways be provided and, if so, where are these particular issues?
Public Transport
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