Dear Sir/Madam

My apologies for sending this as two emails, I had not realised that responses on the draft gypsy and traveller site consultation were to be sent to the same email address as general comments on the new local plan.

As explained in my earlier email, I hope you will still consider this feedback even though it has been submitted after the deadline. I am currently visiting family in Finland and have had to cope with two unexpected collapses of my father this afternoon which necessarily distracted me from responding before the deadline. I did, however, want to share my thoughts on the new local plan hence sending this email. Please would you confirm whether you will take my email into consideration as part of the new local plan consultation.

I understand that the proposed gypsy and traveller sites include a number in the environs of Bishops Tachbrook (sites 5, 6, 9, 15, 3 and 10). I fail to see how these sites meet with the criteria required for candidate sites, for example being able to integrate a permanent site into the landscape without harming the character of the area, convenient access to public transport, providing safe access to the road network, placing undue pressure on the local infrastructure and services and avoiding areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance. All these sites are too remote from major settlement areas.

The Bishops Tachbrook area has a strong rural character that must be preserved. The village is already being compromised by traffic that runs through it as a rat run to the M40. As outlined in my earlier email there are already road safety issues in the village so any new settlement (of any type) that increases the traffic through the village (to the motorway or to Leamington Spa) should be avoided. The public transport service is very limited so alternative options are not practical and many of the proposed sites do not offer pedestrian access so inhabitants will inevitably resort to using cars.

My recommendation is that sites which are closer to existing services (e.g. GP services and village schools) that could accommodate the additional demand should be sought and that the impact on the local rural road network be seriously considered. Any sites which will compromise the rural character of immediate area, specifically those listed above, should be excluded from the list of proposed sites. I appreciate this means that more rurally based councils will find it harder to find appropriate sites for gypsies and travellers, however this does not mean that the natural environment and character of the areas within its care should be compromised.