Object

Alternative Sites Consultation

Representation ID: 43781

Received: 30/03/2010

Respondent: Michael Blakeman

Representation Summary:

The potential impact on the exisiting traffic into Warwick makes this site undeliverable in terms of access and it would destroy the wildlife in the Registered Park which makes up half of the land and have a major impact on the environment around Gavestons Cross and Guys Cliffe House.

Full text:

1. The land indicated on the plan attached to the submission is not entirely under the control of the applicants and in fact includes two freehold properties not owned by Mr & Mrs Forrester.

2. The letter supporting the submission states that the land is free of any Covenants. This is incorrect as all the properties accessed off Woodloes Lane have the right of access along the lane and in addition we have the right of access along and across the farm track immediately to the east of my property.

3.
The land lies entirely within the designated greenbelt and Warwick District Council has always regarded Woodloes Lane as the defining boundary to the greenbelt and as such has resisted even modest development within the land to the north of Woodloes Lane.

4. The Agents state that the A46 provides a definable edge to development therefore it is difficult to understand why, therefore, they have included some 38 acres to the north of the A46 which cannot be easily accessed and which would have a major impact on the rich natural environment around Gaveston's Cross and the adjacent woodland which is rich in wildlife.

5. The fact that, as the Agent's state, the landowners are finding it increasingly to survive financially is not valid planning reason for destroying a large area of grazing land and the wildlife adjacent to it.

6. By the Agents own admission some 37 acres of the proposed land for release is part of the Registered Park and as such will be unavailable for development.

7. The balance of the development land would have to be accessed through the registered Park and the provision of a major access road through this area would severely impact on the Park and the varied wildlife it supports.

8. The proposed access is to be by widening the existing access which is close to the already notorious access to the Saxon Mill Restaurant. The A46 is already at capacity during morning weekday peak periods when the traffic is backed up along the A429 to the A46 roundabout and beyond. There may be "easy access to the A46" but if the site was to be developed a significant proportion of the vehicles would be seeking to get into Warwick and Leamington along the already congested roads.

9. Despite what the Agents say the parts of the land are subject to localised flooding and the natural run-off is across the A429 towards the river Avon. Although the drainage improvements along the northern edge of the A429 have eased the problem local flooding does still occur.