Object

Alternative Sites Consultation

Representation ID: 44934

Received: 18/03/2010

Respondent: Mr & Mrs C Sciolti

Representation Summary:

This development would destroy village life and become urban sprawl.

The green belt will be lost along with wildlife, countryside access and protected species.

There is also an ongoing problem of flooding in Cubbington. The land consists of clay, which doesn't absorb surplus water, so the prospect of building here doesn't bode well for Cubbington, due to the inadequate storm water system.

Will create an increase in traffic. The streets could become very dangerous.

Great pressure on other services.

It will threaten Cubbington's excellent community spirit.

This village is also under siege from the proposed High Speed Rail.

Full text:

We wish to complain most strongly about the proposed development at Glebe Farm, Cubbington.

Cubbington is a unique ancient village over 1000 years old and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. To complete this development would destroy the village environment and way of life to become another urban sprawl connected to Lillington and Leamington.

There is also the green belt factor which will be lost if this proposal goes ahead. Our greenbelt countryside is rapidly disappearing under all the building work that is being done in recent times, with the loss of wildlife and countryside access or people during leisure periods. There are also protected species that live on that ground that will be lost if the proposed sites go ahead, namely, badgers, crested newts and other species.

There is also a problem of flooding in Cubbington. Living in New Street we know at first hand the trauma and upset this causes. We have been very fortunate in that so far we have managed to escape it, but each time it has flooded it gets closer and closer to us, and the floods of June 2008 were very close! Cubbington is situated in a hollow, so therefore all surplus water during times of flood flows into and across the lowest parts of the village. People had to evacuate their homes, and it was six months or more before they were able to return to them. This was a very traumatic and upsetting experience for them, and every time we have heavy rain they become very anxious and worried, as indeed we do, for fear of another flood. This is an ongoing problem that after many years has still not been resolved. It is common knowledge that the land surrounding this area consists of clay, which does not absorb surplus water, so the prospect of building 2000 houses in the vicinity, also on a hill, does not bode well for the inhabitants of Cubbington, due to the deficiencies of the inadequate storm water system.

There is also the increase in traffic that this will create. The streets of Cubbington are already very narrow and parking by the shops is very limited now. Windmill Hill is not very wide and there is a school halfway up. The increased traffic that will be created could become very dangerous when children are attending and leaving, also the fact that many children have to be driven to school from outside the area.

The pressure on other services too, will be too great. There is another school in New Street too. The traffic that we have now in our street can be a problem due to the proximity of the school. We can't begin to imagine what it will become if more children start attending, or how the schools will cope due to a big influx of children. New Street is not very wide and when children are leaving school it is a nightmare, cars parked anyway the full length of the street, a full sized coach to take children home - never mind us residents. Very dangerous.

Cubbington is a friendly village to live in; we have an excellent community spirit. There is a Pensioners Association who work tirelessly throughout the year to raise money to take us out on trips, Christmas lunch, and many other things, if Cubbington loses its village status where will that leave us?

This village is under siege from East and West. Your development in the West, the threat of a high speed train in the East ploughing through our beloved woods, ancient English woodland that has been there for centuries, and can never be replaced. We deserve better than this.

Many generations of the family have lived in the village, and would have been devastated to learn of these threats to our way of life.