Dear Sir/Madam

We write to you in response to the above consultation document. We object in particular to the following proposed sites in the consultation document: GT11, 17, 18 and 20. We also object in principle to the plan to put any sites in Warwick District.

In paragraph 1.1, you state that the Council is required to meet the needs of the population in the area. The placing of these sites will encourage travelers from outside of the area to settle in the area, therefore the whole premise of your proposal is wrong. What about the needs, quality of life and standard of living of the population of Warwick that is already here, and pays you Council Tax? You should be putting our rights ahead of those that do not live here, and do not wish to live in a manner that is compatible with 99.7% of the population.

We object to the proposal on the basis of a likely increase in crime:-
At the meeting at Aylesford School on 15th July, a question was made from the floor about the issue of crime that travellers bring. The member of the council responsible for Gypsy and Traveller sites stated that there is no evidence to say that there is a difference in crime between travelers and the general population. This generalised comparison given by the council member compared travellers to the entire population. This is not relevant, the comparison should be made to the District of Warwick, where crime is lower than average, therefore it follows that if there is no difference in crime between travellers and the total population, then there must be a difference in crime between the travellers and Warwick District, and therefore there will be an increase in crime if you allow travellers to settle in Warwick.

We also object to all proposals on the basis that they will make a very attractive and pretty town (except for Barrack Street car park and the Council offices in Market Square), look bad. Warwick is the most historic town in Warwickshire. The sites will have a negative impact on how the town will be viewed, and would have a negative impact on tourism which is the lifeblood of the town and upon which a lot of businesses rely. Furthermore, site GT11 will also have a negative impact on Warwick race course which is also vitally important to the town, and also a key element of the local community given the other events that it hosts throughout the year.

We also object to the proposal in particular on site GT11 as it will place increasing pressure on local infrastructure. There are already further new homes being built which is adding to the demand on, amongst other things, GP services, schools etc. Site GT11 is also far too close to a large housing development. The location of travellers here will create tension with a population that has only recently invested in living in a nice area.

Chris White, MP for Warwick and Leamington, supports us in our opposition to site number GT11 and the fact that you should listen to residents, please see attached letter. I hope you will listen to the MP.

If traveller sites are needed at all, they should be somewhere that is remote from the rest of the population to avoid tensions and avoid negatively affecting the quality of life of the people who have worked hard to buy a nice place to live in a nice area, and equally will cause less stress to the travellers. I believe that there is already one site that is out of the way on Kites Nest Lane. This site also counters your point made at the 15th July meeting that sites need to be near facilities. Not everyone who works hard has the luxury of being able to live next door to everything that they may need on a particular occasion. As the sites are proposed for travellers, perhaps you should take into account the fact that they like travelling.

I hope you realise the amount of concern amongst existing residents your proposals have caused. At the meeting on 15th July, which was predominantly attended by Chase Meadow residents, it was clear that almost 100% of those in attendance were against the proposals. I only heard one voice all evening in defence of the proposal from the floor. You will be making a massive error if you go against the residents. Therefore I hope you will withdraw your proposal for a site at GT11 immediately, because it will show you just do not care about resident opinions if you persevere with this site and others.