Planning – Application Comments

To whom it may concern;

Re: Objection to the proposed planning application and building works by 17 Foster Road, Kempston. 23/01041/FUL (Revised scheme) proposal.

We would like to again submit this formal objection (edited) to the above based on these points:

Ecology: see summary below.

Shading and further loss of light with the intended Revised Scheme Proposal: The existing conservatory extension already over-shadows the area outside of our dining room / doors / patio. This causes damp and slippery conditions on the patio from around October to April. To extend or increase the elevation in this area, in any direction, is not acceptable to us as per architect drawing 2204-2wd2.001.

Noise: having already been victim to substantial noise nuisances and harassment from the family at number 17, for the last few years, we feel that continuing this 'pollution' via building works at this time is unacceptable. Records on these matters are available via the Authorities eg Bedfordshire Police and Bedford Borough Councils Anti-Social Behaviour department. Although the harassment / noise nuisances etc have subsided recently, we feel it is still too soon to know if this will be sustained.

The ecology objection is based on the important work we have been doing on our land since moving in seven years ago. Both owners, Anna and Richard Plaster, are passionate environmental advocates, with Anna possessing a degree in Ecological Sciences and working in horticulture, specialising in organics, permaculture and rewilding.

The back garden at number 19 Foster Road is a safe haven for a growing range of wildlife including birds, insects, mammals and invertebrates; in addition to a wide range of flora. Every year we notice new species in the garden. The area has been specifically designed to attract and protect this range of living creatures and is considered unique, a "wildlife oasis". Therefore any building works in close proximity to the land, and in particular, the pond in the borders next to the adjoining fence, will upset these habitats and negatively affect this safe haven. The extension will be in an immediate vicinity to these habitats and there is no plan on how to protect them.

We believe the habitats on our land provide food, shelter and breeding grounds to the species listed below, whereas the land at number 17 is barren, therefore increasing the importance of habitat protection.

Invertebrates: Great Crested Newts, Slow Worms, a range of Butterflies, Dragonflies.

Bats: Frequently seen flying, feeding and training their young over / in the back garden in the summer months and we have a bat box is mounted on the rear wall of our house.

Birds: A wide range of birds visit the garden and we usually get at least a nest a year, with bird boxes being scattered at different locations around the garden. Birds visiting the garden (bird feeding and watering stations, feeding in borders and shrubs and using 1 pond as a bird bath) include: Robins, Starlings, Sparrows, Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Grey Tits, Sparrowhawks, Wrens, Thrushes, Magpies, Crows.....

Mammals: Dormice, Hedgehogs, Foxes.

Habitats (organic gardening practises only): 2 x sheltered wet area wildlife ponds surrounded by vegetation, well-mulched (no-dig) mixed borders with a range of annuals / biennials / perennials, shrubs, trees, climbers, flowering perennials, vegetables, fruit, herbs, mature brash and deadwood piles (mini hibernaculas), brick and rock piles, eco drainage, tunnels (large and small), ivy wall, a lawn which is partly cut and partly left to grow into long grass every year, clover borders, old logs used to frame borders.