A1P (1) MAJOR HIGHWAY SCHEMES - A5225 ... - Wigan Council

ACCESSIBILTY POLICY OMISSION
Objections to Draft Deposit
Ref No a b c d Name Agent Response Ref.
021 O 001 OM Rotary Ltd WMBC 021 OM
093 O 001 OM General Aviation Awareness Council WMBC 093 OM
394 O 002 OM Crankwood, Abram and Lowton Bridleways WMBC 394 OM
395 O 001 OM Leigh, Atherton, Astley and Tyldesley WMBC 395 OM
418 O 026 OM GMPTE WMBC 418 OM
Main Issues
Whether the chapter of the RDD which relates to accessibility is appropriate, having
regard to:
• the omission of a policy relating to the provision of heliports;
• the need to safeguard former railway lines for potential future communication
routes;
• the interests of horse riders.
Inspector’s Considerations and Conclusions
The omission of a policy relating to the provision of heliports
10.182 Objectors argue that the UDP should contain a policy/proposal to promote
the development of heliports. These would, the objectors contend, enable more rapid
communication with Manchester Airport and other important centres and transport hubs.
They would be of significant benefit to the local business community and would broaden
the scope for recreational activity. For these reasons such a facility would support
economic regeneration and provide necessary social infrastructure. PPG13 (annex B,
paragraph 5) advises that LPAs will need to consider the role of small airfields in serving
businesses, recreational, training and emergency services needs.
10.183 The LPA acknowledges the potential benefits of such a development. It
included such a policy in the currently adopted UDP, but since its adoption date of 1996
no proposals for such a development have been forthcoming. There is no basis, therefore,
for a conclusion that such a development is likely during the period of the replacement
UDP. If a planning application was submitted for a heliport the provisions of policies
G1A(a), A1, A1A and A1B would provide the basis for its determination. For these
reasons I conclude that a specific policy is not required to either promote the provision of
heliports or to form the basis for the determination of related planning applications.
The need to safeguard former railway lines for potential future communication routes
10.184 An objector argues that disused railway lines in the Borough should be
safeguarded from development which would prejudice their future use as transport routes.
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