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Conservation Advisory Forum
Comments on Local Plan Consultation Housing Sites

CAF Meeting 18 July 2013


* Scale of development. Concerns expressed about impact on Warwick . There will be a 40% increase in the population of Warwick which will have a dramatic effect on the existing settlement and on traffic passing through both Warwick and also Leamington along Europa Way.

* Sustainability. It is not considered to be a sustainable development rather suburban sprawl.

* Traffic impact . Significant concern expressed about the impact of traffic on the Conservation Areas in particular the increased use of Banbury Road and the need for upgrading of the road system and the impact on Castle Hill roundabout and the bridge over the River Avon which is a Listed Building.

* Increase in car usage .This type of development reverses the trend over the past 20 years a small scale infill and the reduction of car usage. These proposals will increase car usage which will impact upon the historic Town Centres, as all the sites are only accessible by car. This will have a roll on effect in terms of the transport infrastructure and will make everyone else use cars.

* Impact on cycling . It was felt there was no scope for cycling because of the intensity of traffic.

* Release mechanism for sites .The release mechanism of sites was questioned. It was felt that the present system will lead to sites being built on regardless of whether there is any infrastructure to support them. A staged approach is needed for any sites within the district.

* Impact on historic buildings .The impact of traffic entering the Town Centre will impact upon all the major junctions and will impact upon the Historic Buildings themselves and the setting of them.

* Thickthorn , Kenilworth .It was pointed out that Kenilworth did their own consultation and have come up with the Thickthorn site as the best of the options if we have to meet the five year housing supply.

* Infrastructure for Kenilworth . Kenilworth needs to have adequate infrastructure of eco houses and appropriately relocation of the various clubs that use the Thickthorn site before development commences.

* Integrated transport system. Kenilworth needs an integrated transport system with a proposed new station, each house being provided with two parking spaces.

* New Hospital .It was felt that to support the level of development a new hospital would be needed in Warwick.

* Transport mitigation measures .The impact of transport mitigation measures on Warwick would include a 3-4 lane Banbury Road development, traffic signals at Bridge End roundabout, effects on Listed Castle Bridge, gyratory system at the Castle Hill roundabout and traffic lights. All roads will have a greater amount of traffic; there will be significant effects on air pollution and the quality of air in the Town Centre. Congestion charges were suggested. It was felt that if traffic was removed completely the High Street shops would suffer.

* Station Approach site - it was felt that it should follow the SBD for that site.

* Student accommodation . It was felt that if more students were to be housed on Warwick and Coventry University sites this would release more houses in Leamington Spa for use by families and would reduce the housing need overall.