Object

Gypsy and Traveller Site Options

Representation ID: 54198

Received: 29/07/2013

Respondent: Mr Steve Dix

Representation Summary:

In summary it is clear from our assessment of the options proposed that GT20 is far less suitable for the proposed use of a gypsy site than the other options proposed. The analysis clearly indicates that under the headings identified as policy criteria set out in the Local Plan 'Sites for Gypsies and Travellers' provided by WDC June 2013, sites other than GT14 and GT20 are far more suitable.

Full text:

Sustainability:
Access to Public Transport
Norton Lindsey is not included on a regular daily public transport route to provide access to neighbouring towns and villages for regular commutes for employment and or shop. Therefore GT20 would not be serviced by a public transport system which could promote a sustainable lifestyle and prevent unnecessary car journeys to work or shop. However in excess of 80% of the other options are situated in areas which will provide a regular public transport system to facilitate a sustainable lifestyle.

Shops & Services
The area local to GT20 does not contain a shop or any other local services of any description. In excess of 70% of the other options have shops within the community the sites are being proposed or are close enough to walk to the facility or public transport is available to enable sustainable travel to the shops and services.

Employment Infrastructure
The area immediately around GT20 is not available to sustain local employment. The public transport system does not provide a regular daily service and therefore cannot sustain travel to other areas for regular employment. 75% of the other sites proposed have some or significant employment infrastructure or are situated close to and have regular public transport links to employment infrastructure to provide a sustainable lifestyle.

Essential Services
Health Service (Doctors Dentist Surgery etc.)
GT20 does not contain any health service facilities within close walking proximity. As detailed above public transport routes do not service the village regularly and therefore could not provide a sufficient service to access these facilities regularly especially for families with young children whom need access to doctors surgeries on a daily/weekly basis. The closest facilities are situated within the larger towns of Leamington Spa, Warwick, Stratford upon Avon or larger villages of Hampton Magna and Claverdon. In excess of 65% of the other proposed sites are situated in areas providing direct access to these services or are close enough to the larger areas to gain access to these services by walking or via public transport. I am also aware from recent experience that the smaller health services in the local villages of Hampton Magna and Claverdon are at running at full capacity and unable to take on new patients. The larger towns will obviously provide greater flexibility and choice and service to new members. With particular reference to dentistry services a National Health Service facility will be available in the larger towns providing a free service, whereas local dentistry practises will not.

Education/Schools
The village of Norton Lindsey does include a small school which falls in the Stratford DC and with an approximate intake of 15 pupils per year. The ages range from 4-11. The school is currently at full capacity. In excess of 70% of the other proposed sites have access to larger schooling facilities for a wider age range and with greater numbers of placements available. Access to the school would also be along safer roads (for walking) which is certainly not afforded by the Warwick Road into Norton Lindsey, which would require journeys to be made by private vehicles.

Services/Utilities
GT20 is unlikely to have any facilities due to the sites nature and location. The road is busy and has experienced accidents recently, due to the blind corner upon which the entrance to the site is situated. If a site is to provide facilities such as gas/water and electricity may I enquire as to how the services are metered and charged to the pitches, especially if the occupants are transient ? 80% of the other options proposed are located in areas where there are existing services on site, close to site or in areas with significant populations close by where services will be capable of being diverted and supplied.

Conservation Areas/Greenbelt/Character of local area
The proposed site is situated in a Greenbelt very close to a conservation area, the use would spoil the character of the immediate local area and that of the village. 70% of the alternative proposed options would be more suited to this type of use.