Further to the above consultation and our earlier response to the same we write with further comments on the proposed RLDP.
We again question the growth strategy being promoted in the RLDP. In May 2019 MCC declared a Climate Emergency for the County and identified a policy that would target the reduction of carbon emissions within the County. A large part of this policy focuses on renewable household energy efficiency, recycling and transport.
It must be questioned in the face of a Climate emergency how a high growth housing policy fits with the climate Emergency. New developments will mean increased infrastructure including road widening, by-passes and community facilities as the existing infrastructure in all of our Primary Settlements is at capacity or beyond at present.
The assumption within the plan seems to be that within existing Primary Settlements there is infrastructure capacity that can be tapped, this is far from reality. The cost and time implications of providing this infrastructure will go long beyond the period of the RLDP hence developments will not be sustainable.
We are aware that an Infrastructure Plan will be produced to complement and RLDP and that plan will identify infrastructure needs to allow the RLDP to work. It is inevitable that the cost of that infrastructure is going to be unachievable so the plan would not work. By example in Chepstow to relieve traffic congestion and improve the environment a by-pass will be required plus major upgrading of drainage systems. New doctors and dental facilities will be required. What budget is available for MCC to expend on infrastructure over the plan period? Discussions on how to resolve problems in the Chepstow area have been ongoing for years but there are no current plans in place to deliver anything tangible so we are coming from a standing start. Residential developments are however underway now under the existing LDP.
Mrs Jane Kelley
Clerk Mathern C C