Response to Warwick District Council (WDC) consultation on proposed Gypsy and Travellers Site
Ref: GT02 (Warwickshire Exhibition Centre) land abutting the Fosse Way at its junction with A425.
OJECTION TO PROPOSAL
Having studied WDC's criteria, I wish to submit my objection to the above proposal for the following reasons:-
1. The location of this site does not provide safe access to the road networks for pedestrians seeking to use the bus service on the A425 e.g. children travelling to school or for cyclists and slow moving large towing vehicles. The Fosse Way adjacent to this land is a known high risk crash site, with many warning signs erected to this effect for motorists. There is no footpath available to proceed safely to the bus stop. Similarly, the A425 has no footpath and is an extremely busy and fast main road. Being resident on the A425 I have cause to cross the road on foot on a daily basis - even being within the 30mph limit this is an extremely hazardous exercise as much of the traffic does not adhere to the speed restrictions, with the speed limit at the Fosse Way junction being considerably higher, the risk to pedestrian/cyclist safety is even greater.
There is no footpath leading to any of the surrounding villages where the nearest shops are located and certainly no street lighting - all serious safety issues.
2. The location of this site does not lend itself to be absorbed within the landscape as three out of four of routes leading to the site are from higher ground. It will be very noticeable over some distance on the approach from Ufton - hedgerows will not be able to screen this given the contours of the land.
3. As this site is recorded on the Council's Archaeological register, there is potential that the proposed development will have an adverse impact on this historic environment.
4. The use of this proposed site will also have a detrimental economic impact on the surrounding area. The Warwickshire Exhibition Centre would close, potentially leading to up to 40 job losses and have a negative knock-on effect to other local business. The number of exhibitions held at the centre has been increasing year on year bringing valuable tourism to the locality with its related hospitality income, all of which will cease. Estimated loss £2m.
5. My understanding is that the nearest school at Radford Semele is close to capacity and the nearest GP is approximately 5 miles away but with no direct bus service. Thus making access to local services difficult.
Any/all of the above contribute to making Site GT02 unsuitable for the purposes outlined under the criteria set out by WDC.