BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 98699

Derbyniwyd: 06/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Mrs Janet Smith

ew Settlement C1 South of Kingswood
I would like to register my objection to the planning of 7,000 new homes in the New Settlement C1
South of Kingswood and would recommend that the proposal be rejected for the following reasons:
Environment
All of the land designated for development falls within the Green Belt, which exists specifically to
prevent urban sprawl, preserve the character of rural communities, and protect valuable green space
from permanent loss. Once developed, this land cannot be restored, resulting in an irreversible impact
on the landscape and environment. Green spaces are essential not only for biodiversity but also for
public well-being, with extensive evidence showing their critical role in supporting mental health by
reducing stress, improving mood, and encouraging physical activity. Losing this Green Belt land would
deprive both current and future generations of these benefits."
Listed Buildings
The C1 proposal includes listed buildings that are protected due to their historical/architectural
significance. Any large-scale development could disrupt the character and setting of these buildings.
The construction process could also lead to structural damage due to vibrations, changes in drainage or
increased traffic to the area.
Canal Conservation Area
The C1 proposal includes a canal with conservation status, which is protected for its historical,
ecological, and recreational value. This development threatens the tranquility and scenic beauty of the
canal. It will also harm wildlife habitats, and increase pollution risks. The character of the area, which
attracts walkers, narrow boats which are used for homes and pleasure, nature enthusiasts will be
permanently altered reducing the value as a community and tourism beauty spot asset.
Ancient Woodland – Rowington Coppice
Ancient Woodlands such as Rowing Coppice are irreplaceable ecosystems that have existed for
centuries. They support diverse wildlife, including rare and protected species. The C1
development will lead to habitat destruction, pollution, and disruption to the delicate ecological
balance. Additionally, the Woodland Trust and other conservation bodies oppose developments
that threaten these unique habitats.
Historical Sites – A site such as Harborough Banks Iron Age Hill Fort is of archaeological
importance and any development risks disturbing buried artefacts, damaging the site’s integrity, and
diminishing its cultural value. Protecting such sites is crucial for maintaining the historical identity of the
village and respecting its past.
Wildlife
The local wildlife would be significantly affected by the C1 proposal. Species that rely on
hedgerows, woodlands, and open fields for survival may lose their habitats. Increased noise, light
pollution, and human activity could drive away sensitive species. Protected species such as bats, newts
etc. are present providing strong legal grounds to oppose development.
Agricultural Land
The C1 proposal area consists of predominantly Grade 3 land with some Grade 2 pockets, which means
it is valuable for food production/solar energy. Developing on such land would reduce solar power/local
food-growing potential and contribute to the national decline in agricultural land availability. Once built
on, farmland cannot be restored
The proposed development site is owned by more than 10 separate parties, which presents significant
legal and logistical challenges. Multiple landowners increase the risk of disputes, delays, and potential
failure to secure all necessary agreements, which could result in an incomplete or fragmented
development and leaving the community with years of disruption and no guaranteed outcome.
Preserving, this land for long-term sustainability and food security is essential.
Railway
Severely Limited Parking at the Station – The village train station has only 16 parking spaces with no
room for expansion. With a proposed tripling of the village’s size, demand for station parking will far
exceed capacity, leading to congestion, unsafe roadside parking, and discouraging rail use—
contradicting sustainable transport goals. Without sufficient parking residents would be forced to rely
on cars (if affordable) increasing carbon emissions.
Rail Service Already at Capacity and Infrequent – The current train service is infrequent and already
operating at capacity. Without significant investment in infrastructure, which Network Rail have
confirmed independently this has not been planned or budgeted for, there is no realistic way to
accommodate the thousands of additional residents who would rely on public transport. The
cancellation of HS2 North has also removed any prospect of shifting capacity onto a new line.
Lack of Step-Free Access – There is no step-free access for northbound trains, making travel inaccessible
for elderly residents, people with disabilities, and parents with pushchairs. Network Rail has confirmed
that no upgrades are planned for the foreseeable future, meaning that an increased population will
face persistent accessibility barriers.
Road Network is Inadequate
The local road network is entirely unsuitable for a development of this scale due to its narrow, winding
layout, frequent use by farm vehicles and horse riders, and the absence of pavements on most roads.
The village was never designed to accommodate high volumes of traffic, and the introduction of
thousands of additional residents would result in years of roadworks leading to severe disruption during
construction, congestion (particularly on Old Warwick Road and Hockley Road, which already experience
bottlenecks at peak times), increased pollution and road safety risks, as more
Canal and Railway Bridges Pose Major Obstacles
Several key infrastructure barriers make the area fundamentally unsuitable for large-scale development:
 The low railway bridge in Kingswood cannot accommodate double-decker buses, restricting the
ability to introduce new or expanded public transport services to mitigate car reliance.
 Multiple canal bridges would require costly upgrades or replacement to handle increased traffic,
further delaying and complicating infrastructure readiness.
Existing Junctions Are Already Dangerous
 The Hockley Heath junction on the A3400 (Stratford Road) is already a hazardous area, with a
complex mix of high-speed traffic, cars entering and exiting car parks, and pedestrians
navigating a busy crossing. Increased traffic from 7,000 new homes would make this junction
even more dangerous, raising the likelihood of accidents
Essential Services Cannot Support Large-Scale Development
Electricity Supply is Unreliable
The village already experiences frequent power cuts, indicating an overstretched electricity grid. The
South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP) promotes air source heat pumps for new developments, which
demand significant energy infrastructure upgrades. Without major investment, residents—both new
and existing—would face even more frequent outages and unreliable supply.
No Mains Gas Infrastructure
The area lacks a mains gas supply, meaning all homes rely on electricity, oil, or LPG. Adding thousands
of new homes would increase strain on electricity supply, further compounding energy challenges.
Retrofitting gas infrastructure is neither planned nor cost-effective, making this an unrealistic location
for sustainable, large-scale housing.
Water Supply and Sewage Capacity Uncertain
A development of this scale would require a substantial increase in water supply and sewage treatment
capacity. Key concerns include:
 Where will the additional water supply come from? The region already faces water scarcity
issues, and further development would place a major strain on existing resources.
 Sewage treatment capacity is unknown. Without significant upgrades to existing facilities, local
systems could become overwhelmed, leading to environmental pollution and health hazards.
Poor Mobile Phone Coverage
Mobile phone signal in the village is already unreliable, raising questions about whether infrastructure
could cope with thousands of new users. No evidence has been presented that mobile networks are
prepared for this level of expansion, meaning both current and new residents could face connectivity
issues, particularly in emergencies.
Lack of Local Employment Opportunities
A development of 7,000 new homes would add thousands of working-age residents, yet Lapworth and
its surrounding areas do not have the necessary employment opportunities to support them. The local
economy is largely rural and service-based, offering limited job prospects, meaning the vast majority of
new residents would have to commute elsewhere for work.
A large-scale development should be located where there is nearby employment, reducing the need for
unsustainable commuter travel. Lapworth does not meet this basic requirement.
Inadequate Healthcare Services
The local healthcare infrastructure is already at breaking point and cannot support a sudden population
increase:
 Lapworth Surgery is already full, struggling to accommodate existing residents.
 Hockley Heath does not have a doctor’s surgery, meaning new residents would overwhelm
nearby healthcare facilities.
 Hatton has already seen significant new development, further straining local GP and healthcare
services.
 Limited dental provision in the area would make access to routine and emergency care even
more difficult.
Without a clear plan—and funded commitments—for significant investment in new medical facilities,
the development would severely compromise access to essential healthcare for both new and existing
residents.
Education Facilities Cannot Support Large Population Growth
The proposal would require one new secondary school and three to four new primary schools
to accommodate the expected increase in families. However:
Lapworth Primary School has some space but would not be able to accommodate demand
without significant expansion. There is no room to expand on the current site.
Henley High School has some capacity for expansion, but doubling its size would require substantial
investment, planning, and infrastructure upgrades.
Without a confirmed and fully funded plan for education expansion, this proposal would put immense
pressure on local schools, forcing families to travel further for school places—further increasing traffic
congestion and pollution.
Lapworth does not have the employment opportunities, healthcare services, or education
infrastructure to support a threefold increase in population. Instead of sustainable development, this
proposal would create an unsustainable commuter belt, overwhelming already stretched services and
worsening transport and environmental issues