Object

Gypsy and Traveller Site Options

Representation ID: 55692

Received: 16/08/2013

Respondent: Mr Tom Hainey

Representation Summary:

All sites have some ecological value and environmental issues that do not appear to have been assessed.
Should re-visit Green Belt policy and release sites north of Warwick and Leamington to reduce the pressure to allocate land for all forms of development in the south of the District.

Full text:

Please find below some specific objections I have regarding the Local Plan related to SItes for Gypsies and Travellers.

Two general points:
1. I have little confidence in the analysis that underpins the proposals. There appears to be the potential for a significant level of double counting and inflating the requirement.
2. It seems disproportionate that the majority of the proposed sites are in the South of the District.
My specific objections are:
* Sites 5,6,9,12,16 and 20: All fail to meet the policy criteria of WDC Rural Area Policies.
* Sites 5,6,9,10,12 and 16: Development of these sites would have an adverse impact on the capacity of St Peter's School Barford.
* Site 16 is the flood compensation area and contains a central pond which is permanent and unsuitable for any development.
* Sites 12 and 16: Are adjacent to areas identified by the Environment Agency as having significant flood risk.
* Sites 12 and 16: Access to these sites is from the Barford Bypass. There have been a significant number of accidents on it, one of which was fatal. The existing access into the sites is completely inadequate.
* Sites 5,6,9,12,16 and 20 would lead to an unacceptable loss of farmland and consequently a loss of farming related employment opportunities.
* Based on information provided at the village meeting, it appears that 21 relevant families are already housed by WDC, begging the question why are these sites necessary.