Comment

Gypsy and Traveller Site Options

Representation ID: 55448

Received: 03/08/2013

Respondent: Mr Russ Powell

Representation Summary:

Understand that land where the site offices were situated for the recent A46 development was offered free to the Council. It has services, is more suitable and would have minimum public expense. Why was this offer declined?

Full text:

I wish to record an objection to the proposed traveller site at Oaklands Farm, Birmingham Road.

1. The visual impact of this site on one of the main arterial roads into Warwick, would be detrimental to the image of Warwick portrayed to tourists visiting the area.

2. This proposed site will cause road safety issues due to the an increase in traffic towing trailers and caravans to and from the proposed site at Oaklands Farm on to the Birmingham Road. The daily activity of the site occupants seeking work using plant machinery stored on the site must also be considered.

3. The Hatton Stairway of Locks is one of the major pieces of Canal engineering that runs along the back of the proposed site .This is a tourist attraction for walkers and Narrow boat tourists visiting the area and using the Warwickshire loop Canal system. Again this would have a detrimental visual impact on the image of Warwick.

4. Oaklands Farm once had a Caravan storage area . Enforcement action was taken by the Council against the owner of the property expressing similar concerns.This was done at a considerable cost to the Tax payer and the storage facility was not permitted. I believe that as the population of Warwick has grown and the traffic flow has increased, the original grounds for the enforcement action are still if not more relevant due to the location of this proposed site at this time.

5. I understand that the council were offered land by the construction company where the site offices were situated for the recent A46 development at no charge.This land had all utility services and was a more suitable site that would cause minimum expense to the public purse.As i understand it this offer was declined.Why?

I understand the need for sites ,but the proposed site at Oaklands farm has not been a well thought through option.