Issue and Options 2023

This being a lengthy and weighty document, Bidford on Avon Parish Council’s reply will be more or less limited to how it believes it will impact its village and local community. With this in mind, it has opted to email you its comments as opposed to replying using the form and trusts this will be in order. ·Its preference is for large settlements as this can be developed to incorporate ·Appropriate housing ·Health centres ·Education ·POS/Leisure ·Good connectivity vie rail, bus routes and road ·It is noted the Bidford on Avon is included in a list of settlements with good connectivity. The Parish Council disputes this. It has a bus service, which is not brilliant, and nothing else. The village has become a commuter village with anyone working, mostly outside the village, having to drive – sometimes quite log distances. Further development will only exacerbate an already unsustainable transport system Therefore, whilst it cannot speak for other settlements, Bidford on Avon is not suitable as a dispersal site. ·It is also noted that for the Long Marston Airfield/Meon Vale development to be successful and not cause adverse traffic issues to nearby settlements, such as Bidford on Avon (Barton is part of the village as is Bidford Bridge) the South West Relief Road, or equivalent, must be part of the infrastructure to ensure safe and clean traffic. ·Whilst the Parish Council recognises the need for further development and the government imposed numbers, it is clear that, in order to accommodate these fairly across the South Warwickshire Area, the Green Belt must be reviewed and its restrictions lifted in part. ·On the other hand, the current situation has highlighted the importance of being self sufficient and we are blessed in South Warwickshire with good agricultural land which must be protected against any development that will sterilise the land. This policy would also conform with the current Climate Change and Net Zero visions. ·Better cycling and pedestrian connections – although difficult as roads are already in place and neither have been taken into consideration in the past, special lanes/roads should be identified, especially in rural areas, to connect settlements: this will greatly reduce the necessity of using a car. ·Affordable Housing – Option H2.2a – a single policy for both districts ·Gypsy and Traveller Sites – preference is smaller sites and larger ones can create issues ·Economic needs – policies should be drawn to encourage business whilst ensuring they contribute to a low carbon economy; diversifying the economy and support and sustain rural economies. Policies should encourage local employment to make it sustainable and lower the carbon footprint Policies should encourage investment in the area ·Climate Resilient and Net Zero Carbon South Warwickshire ·Solar and wind power – Option C1. 1b ·Carbon sequestration – Option C3.3 – if it is not Net Zero should not be granted planning permission ·New Buildings ·C4.1b ·C4.2a ·Existing buildings ·C5.a ·Whole Life-Cycle carbon emission assessments ·C6.a ·Adapting to higher temperatures What about cold snaps. If dwellings are built to cope exclusively with higher temperatures, there will be an issue when there is a cold snap. Dwellings should be built to cope with both higher and low temperatures i.e. be well isolated ·Adapting to flood and drought Flooding concerns are an issue in Bidford on Avon Parish with 2 rivers (Avon and Arrow) and the Smallbrook. This concern has grown with the number of developments taken place close to Smallbrook and the River Avon. (The development by the rover Aoorw resulted in it being flooded twice and a Flood Alleviation Scheme having to be built) In view of this Option is C8a ·Mitigating Biodiversity loss Amenity space must be a priority both for new development and existing. For example, an extension to include a conservatory, or similar, should not be permitted if it takes up more than 25/30% of the garden (amenity) and this should be a consideration when allowing new development. ·Flooding and Water Management Option C1 1b ·Flood Risk As mentioned above, flooding is a great concern locally and both Council and local residents do not feel enough attention is given to this when considering planning applications. The LPA appears to be too much in awe of the EA, whose replies are often irrelevant and appear to be more of a “copy and paste” exercise, than taking note of local knowledge and concern. ·A Well designed and beautiful South Warwickshire Can one say “if only”. Most housing developers [do not seem to] take the local scene into account: they simply modify their template to fulfil the minimum requirement to get planning through. Design should be individual to a locality and the LPA should work with local councils when the latter work on either their new NDPs or review their existing ones and they should be encouraged to pay more attention to the design of their housing to ensure the landscape and streetscene remain harmonious and in keeping with the surroundings. ·Healthy, Safe and inclusive Warks Many of these issues have already been tackled above. ·Pollution ·To minimise pollution – better cycle and pedestrian connectivity to reduce use of car ·Local employment – reduce use of car ·Electric vehicles – it would appear to be the solution t least in the short term – need to ensure there are sufficient charging points that are both efficient, quick and offer value fir money ·HiA and ensuring the built environment provides healthy and inclusive communities ·New developments should only be permitted if they deliver good infrastructures, cyle/pedestrian routes, POS/Leisure facilities and the housing good amenity space and facing the right way ·POS ·As above. Policies should force developers to deliver these, as well as good sized gardens ·Well connected SW This is a laudable vision but has its difficulties as public transport is private, so the Principal Authorities can persuade but not demand. Better parking at railways could help and this could be part of the required infrastructure. ·Good bus service – not sure how this can be delivered as companies are private ·Roads – minimise private traffic so that freight can move easily and swiftly. Ensure any new roads are built with the capacity to take on more traffic in the future ·Rail – again private but good parking facilities could be part of planning ·A biodiverse and environmentally resilient SW ·As already mentioned, the Green Belt should be reviewed ·Landscape is important as is agricultural land and should be protected. AONB and Special Landscpae areas should continue to be protected as once lost, they are lost ofrever

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if it is not Net Zero should not be granted planning permission

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