Object
Gypsy and Traveller Site Options
Representation ID: 55808
Received: 26/07/2013
Respondent: Mr Roy Gatfield
The location not safe for pedestrians seeking to use the bus service on the A425 or for cyclists or slow moving large towing vehicles. Even crossing the road in the 30mph zone is an extremely hazardous exercise. The Fosse Way adjacent is extremely busy and fast main road with high risk crash history. No footpath to surrounding villages and certainly no street lighting.
Cannot be absorbed within the landscape. three out of four routes leading to the site are from higher ground. It will be very noticeable on the approach from Ufton - hedgerows will not be able to screen the site.
Site is recorded on the Council's Archaeological register, so could have an adverse impact on this historic environment.
The Warwickshire Exhibition Centre would close, creating job losses and negative knock-on effect to other local business/tourism. Estimated loss £2m to local economy.
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.
Site is therefore unsuitable.
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 use of this proposed site will 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.
2. The location of this site does not provide safe access to the road networks for ortowing vehicles or cyclists. Pedestrians seeking to use the bus service on the A425 e.g. children travelling to school would be at even higher risk. The Fosse Way adjacent to this land is a known high risk crash site, with many warning signs erected to this effect for motorists. The manoeuvring of large towing vehicles close to the junction will increase the hazard. 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 both on foot and by vehicle 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.
3. 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.
4. The nearest school at Radford Semele is apparently close to capacity and the nearest GP is approximately 5 miles away but with no direct bus service which does not fit WDC criteria for convenience.
5. The location of this site does not lend itself to be absorbed within the landscape, situated at a low point - 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.
6. 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.
Any/all of the above contri