Object

Revised Development Strategy

Representation ID: 54883

Received: 29/07/2013

Respondent: Elizabeth Mallery

Representation Summary:

The overall plan proposes over 12,000 new homes in Warwick and Leamington and in particular the overly proposed allocation of 6,630 new homes south of Warwick town. Advised that based on the last 10 years births and marriages a truer reflection of our needs would be 5,400 new homes. Concerned that the over populating of our town with in excess of 12,000 homes will have adverse effects in many ways and not convinced that this proposal is a true reflection of our requirements.

Full text:

I write with reference to the Proposed Revised Development Strategy for Warwick and Leamington as proposed by the local Council and my concerns in this regard.

As a local resident I have grave concerns regarding the proposed plan for our town and the effect this will have on the local environment and more importantly the historic and wonderful town of Warwick.

I understand the overall plan proposes over 12,000 new homes in Warwick and Leamington and in particular the overly proposed allocation of 6,630 new homes south of Warwick town. I have been advised that based on the last 10 years births and marriages a truer reflection of our needs would be 5,400 new homes. I am gravely concerned that the over populating of our town with in excess of 12,000 homes will have adverse effects in many ways and am not convinced that this proposal is a true reflection of our requirements.

I believe this proposal will be the ruination of historic Warwick which should be protected at all costs. This proposed plan is not a sustainable development and is not in the interest of Warwick but favours the feathering of developers pockets only.

The loss of agricultural land and green space is appalling and the plan saturates the south of Warwick with over development whilst the North of Warwick is spared. Whilst the North of Warwick is allocated as Green Belt land the South is equally if not more important to retain as green land and the Council should have protected this by applying for Green Belt status for this area.

I remain concerned that the increase in traffic that such a development would cause has not been properly considered and whilst dual carriage ways are proposed for all main routes from the M40, the volume of traffic trying to cross over what can only ever be 3 bridges over the river will bottle neck and cause Warwick to come to a complete stand still during peak hours. I am particularly concerned that the Bridge over the river by the castle simply cannot cope with this level of traffic and will be destroyed. It is considered that 76% of traffic will be through traffic crossing to the North side of Warwick towards employment in the Coventry area. To develop the South instead of the North is simply ridiculous.

The Air Quality in Warwick is at illegal level already, and as my husband is a sufferer of asthma since we moved here we know the importance only too well of this problem. It has recently also been linked to cancer and as such I would request the Council to provide information regarding the Health Impact and a commitment to what plans they have to resolve what will be already illegal and unacceptable levels.

No commitment to what impact this excessive development will have with regard to if the local facilities such as the Hospital has been provided.

As a resident of Saumur Way, I am absolutely horrified that not only will our wonderful Warwickshire views be destroyed but that our quiet cul-de-sac is to become a through road. A key factor in our purchase of our home 15 years ago. The cycle path that is frequented by school children and is a safe passage way for their journey to school will become a danger spot. Whilst we are assured that only a section of the proposed estate will access from Saumur Way and bollards will prevent other cars from using this access, it is obvious that motor cycles will use this route as a rat run to the Myton Road.

Not only is this development proposed but an additional 1,900 homes at Light Heath currently being applied for which will add another 4,000 vehicles crossing through Warwick. It would seem that Warwick Council and Stratford Council have not liaised regarding this development and therefore this additional traffic is not considered in the Warwick Plan.

The proposal allocates a certain amount of land set aside for business development. Currently allocated business assigned land cannot be sold for this purpose and is in the propose of being re-allocated for housing. An indication that this proposal will not be sustainable and will increase the unemployment of Warwick.

I am concerned off the flooding indications of such a development. In the recent winter the fields of the Henry VIII trust land currently farm land were flooded and I know that in previous years this land has flooded onto the properties within the Saumur Way site. I do not believe the area can safely accommodate such a development without flooding risk to the houses already here.

I strongly object to this proposed development plan which I believe to be the ruination of a wonderful historic town destroying and altering forever the landscape and views from our wonderful Castle which can never be undone.