Page 22 - Ickford NP Consultation Report

22 VISION FOR ICKFORD : ICKFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN CONSULTATION REPORT

73 Impact on flooding. Current infrastructure cannot cope. Loss of
outlook/amenities for current housing.
74 I am concerned that there is too much at one time. A gradual increase
would be more acceptable.
75 Too many are proposed: there is not sufficient infrastructure, no easy
access to town, and the strain extra housing will put on drainage/
sewerage will be excessive.
76 Can the existing village infrastructure cope with a rapid increase in
housing? Can the school accommodate the influx of children. None of
the proposals have adequately explained the potential impact on
drainage and sewerage systems in the village. Ickford sits on a flood
plain and is periodically flooded . The pumping station cannot cope at
these times now so how will new housing impact this situation in the
future? Will the new housing significantly increase traffic in the
village? Not just cars, but delivery vehicles and others.
77 All villages must take their share of providing further housing but this
must not be at the cost of the people already living there and
development must not lose sight of the historical position of our
ancient village. Our village was once two small hamlets which have
been joined together, there are a number of historically important
houses in the village, and there have been a number of new housing
developments over the years. Over development has occurred in
many villages to the detriment of the village, we must preserve to the
best of our ability these villages. To allow a development adjacent to
historical houses would forever distort the balance in the village. It is also
inconceivable that anyone would allow a development outside the
boundaries of the village, which would change the nature of the small
rural village for ever..... The additional 150 plus houses would put a strain
on our already over worked drainage system. The occupants of Church
Road already have to have their storm drains emptied throughout the year
to prevent their houses being flooded. Flooding in our village is a real
problem, ask anyone to share their photos with you. In addition there
would be a huge increase in the amount of traffic and heavy vehicles which
would have to use the bridges in Ickford or Shabbington. Lastly the school
is already over subscribed. There would not be enough places for the
occupants of a large development. We have a limited bus route to Thame
and neighbouring places.
78 There are a number of concerns: infrastructure – the road over the
historic humped-back bridges over the river (bridge has a date of
1685 on it), is narrow and not designed for large construction lorries
or the volume of traffic that 3 new developments would bring. The
removal of the historic stone bridge in Shabbington, and its
replacement with a mundane metal construction has done nothing to
enhance that village. There would be an outcry if any attempt were
made to ‘upgrade’ the river crossing in Ickford. The school is a
tremendous asset for the village and wider area. Can it cope with an
increase on the scale foreseen by these proposals? The head teacher
clearly thinks not. I am concerned that developers would fund their
proposals by building large expensive houses, rather than the starter,
or affordable properties that are needed to sustain the village.

VISION FOR ICKFORD – NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN
www.visionforickford.co.uk