Object

Alternative Sites Consultation

Representation ID: 43562

Received: 26/02/2010

Respondent: Professor Mark Steel

Representation Summary:

I strongly feel that development of this site would be counterproductive, for three main reasons:
1. Destruction of a beautiful rural area, which is integral to and crucial for the surrounding communities.
2. Road and other infrastructure would be wholly inadequate for such a development, and traffic mayhem will ensue, e.g. on the campus of the University of Warwick and in Kenilworth
3. Devastating impact on the local wildlife.

Full text:

I strongly feel that development of this site would be counterproductive, for three main reasons:
1. It would destroy a precious rural area with beautiful woods and fields, which currently holds a large value for the surrounding communities. If this site were to be developed, it would have a large negative impact on all of Westwood Heath and the area around the University of Warwick, as well as Burton Green and Kenilworth. These areas would lose a very important resource that currently provides critical access to a natural environment and preserves at least part of the traditional character of the landscape.
2. The road and other infrastructure would not sustain such a large additional development. As there are no shops, schools etc. locally, there would be a huge amount of extra traffic, which can not be dealt with by the current road network. It would dramatically add to known traffic hotspots, such as the campus of the University of Warwick (adding a lot of traffic exactly at peak times) and would bring Kenilworth to a standstill at rush hour.
3. The impact on the local wildlife (which is still quite abundant) would be devastating.