Representation (objection) relating to WDC Local Plan, Revised Development Strategy section 5.2, Whitnash and south of Sydenham.

Representation

Reference should also be made to Representation no. 47686 to LDF section PO4 that relates to the above proposed developments.

Section 3.1 of the Revised Development Strategy (RDS) refers to WDC's Vision "to make Warwick District a Great Place to Live, Work and Visit".

Section 3.4 states that the Strategy seeks to care for our built, cultural and natural heritage, to protect areas of special significance and to provide for appropriate transport, green and other infrastructure.

Section 3.5 states that the Strategy aims to promote the regeneration of the more socially and environmentally deprived areas and to support the rural economy. Reference is also made to the protection of biodiversity, high quality landscapes and other areas of significance.

Section 3.6 refers to health and wellbeing.

The RDS does not appear to acknowledge the threat to the health and wellbeing of the residents who will live in the lee of a high railway embankment where the prevailing winds are likely to concentrate the pollutants from diesel locomotives working hard on the climb from Leamington and brake dust from trains slowing on the approach to the town. Commercial pressures may well dictate that the 40% of affordable houses are built within this environment. Noise pollution cannot be discounted. It should be noted that there is no residential development on the Sydenham Estate close to the railway.
As regards the regeneration of the more socially and environmentally deprived areas, such as much of South Leamington and parts of Sydenham, the Strategy does not address this matter to any great extent. Part of this regeneration must take into account the need for residents of these areas to enjoy easy access to the countryside, a benefit taken for granted by residents of the more affluent areas. Green corridors with cycle tracks and footpaths along the length of the Whitnash Brook, for example, would facilitate access and provide, in conjunction with improvements to the Whitnash to Radford Semele bridleway, a traffic-free route from Whitnash to Leamington. It is hoped that such a route would reduce the need to use private transport. None of this could be achieved if the bridleway (not footpath as in the RDS) were to be severed or crossed by the proposed access road via the realigned Campion School.
This ancient bridleway between Whitnash and Radford Semele is an important part of our cultural and natural heritage and should not be put in jeopardy by the proposed developments. The development would also very adversely affect the high quality landscape between Whitnash Brook and Crown Hill, the highest point in the vicinity.
Finally, the aim to make Warwick District a "Great Place to Live, Work and Visit" will fail if it takes away from many of its residents those attributes that currently make this motto so appropriate. Imaginative use and improvements to what we already have will allow Nathaniel Hawthorne's vision of rus in urbe whilst walking from Leamington to Whitnash to be maintained for this and future generations.

Changes to Strategy

Because of its importance to Whitnash residents, and potentially to others from adjacent neighbourhoods, as a means of safe and traffic-free access to open countryside, it is proposed that the area be designated as a Country Park. It is as worthy of such designation as that proposed between Bishop's Tachbrook and Warwick Gates because of its current use and its rich network of public footpaths, bridleways and tracks. Such designation could also benefit the rural economy by giving the farming community the opportunity to diversify by providing services such as cycle hire, horse riding and refreshments. The loss to housing is small compared with the total number of houses required and the shortfall could be made up by small increases in the allocation to other areas.
Should none of these observations be deemed sufficient at present to justify deviation from the Strategy, it is suggested that the development be moved from its new position in Phase 1 to Phase 3 in order to allow mature consideration and discussion of these proposals and objections.
It is also requested that consideration be given to possible access from Fieldgate Lane, Whitnash, instead of via Campion School. This may be a cost effective solution, despite the narrow bridge at the end of Fieldgate Lane and, in conjunction with a broad green corridor to protect the Whitnash to Radford Semele bridleway, would meet most of the objections raised here. It would also have the advantage of making the new development a part of the Whitnash community instead of its belonging neither to Whitnash nor Sydenham.