I'll try to be as brief as poss, but may end up long winded - sorry!
Basically, moved into our cottage ten years ago - it's in a 'village', but a village in the middle of everything else if you know what I mean, so not really so. Anyway, we live in a small lane off the main rd, which is a dead end, so no thru traffic, which is what first appealed to us. To cut a long story short, around five yrs ago a business man bought the cottage at the top of the lane (just down in the dell), and proceeded to petition for it's licence to become a residential home for adults with learning disabilities - he wanted to house five residents, at the same time adding a samll extension. I had no problem with that whatsoever, having worked with people with learning disabilities, and signed his petition in favour (tho' it must be said others in the lane were'nt quite so keen - foresight?....) Anyhow, as soon as it opened, the traffic in our lane doubled overnight (probably more than doubled), as it transpired he was using it as a day centre also, and vans were coming and going all day long. I think the majority of the people who live here soon got fed up, as the staff and visitors have no idea about driving carefully up the lane (they pelt up at top speed in the vans), and refuse to give way where they should ( should mention it's a single track lane with very limited visibility). I really hope this doesn't sound pompous and like a case of 'not in my back yard' - it really isn't, it's just that the traffic has already reached worrying levels. As dd and I walked up the lane last week, hugging the verge, we were all but pushed into the bushes by another of the big vans.
Anyhow, where is all this leading? Despite many letters and a meeting with the owner about the traffic problems, nothing has improved. He has promised to sort it out, but how can you police all the visitors to the home form other areas? Bottom line is, the traffic and its associated problems is here to stay. Last year, he applied to take on three extra residents, and build another extension - some residents went to a council meeting to object - we said our piece, and the councillors took notes, then granted the permission anyway, as I suspected they would - the council needs more places like this in which to house people, so were unlikely to deny it.
Anyway, last week a notice went up to say the owner is now applying for permission to build a third, large extension, housing ten more residents.
From what was a small residential home, a full scale business venture has been born! I am so concerned about what this will do to the area, but am at a loss what to do. We are having another council meeting in a few weeks, when no doubt they will listen to us again, then grant the permission. Does anyone have any knowledge of planning permission/ considerations for residential home etc? I want to go to the meeting armed with some solid facts. I think if you open a home like this, ther should be reasonable access for all - the emergency services have problems negotiating the lane, so would that make a difference? I am not exxagerating when I say there is an accident waiting to happen - the amounts of times cars have almost careered into vans on the blind spot is untrue - how can I convey this without sounding like a whinging housewife?!! Needless to say, there has been lots more going on, which I won't elaborate on now, but a bit of helpful advice would be so much appreciated.
P.S The previous owners of the cottage were turned down for planning permission in the 1980's, because of the problems with access. It seems rather hypocritical that it's ok now