I am writing to object strongly to the new 'Local Plan' and the disastrous impact that the implementation of this outrageous and unsustainable proposal will have on Warwick Town.
In particular, I would like to object to the amount of houses to be constructed on green belt and farm land between Warwick, Leamington and Bishops Tachbrook for the following currently already evident and problematical reasons:
* Currently Europa Way is gridlocked daily during rush hour and access to and from the M40 is nigh on impossible at peak times. Thus car-drivers seeking another route attempt to cut through Warwick which thus becomes jammed and cars move slower than walking pace. On top of this much traffic is force to come t Warwick on a daily basis due to the high concentration of schools in and around the town centre.
4,500 new houses will potentially lead to 9000 more cars on the already over-stressed road infrastructure and no manner of road or junction 'improvements' would improve the situation as there will ALWAYS be a bottle-necks to Warwick and Leamington Spa.
* Stratford District Council are also proposing over 4500 houses in the environs of Lighthorne and Gaydon, thus another potential 9000 car users - all within 9 miles. i.e. 18,000, yes - 18,000 more drivers on the local roads - mostly the Banbury Road. Many of these will be heading to Warwick for the schools; or will need to use the already overloaded M40 and the access points to the motorway system.
* Air Pollution is already a major problem and is at an illegal and poisonous level in the town centre of Warwick. No proposals or plans have been offered as to how this can be reduced or of how the impact of 9000 more cars in the close vicinity might make the current issue many times worse.
* The NHS Services and Warwick Hospital is already under much pressure to deal with the current needs of our district. More potential patients would add more back-log and create impossible targets for a sustainable and efficient service.
I see no provision in the 'Local Plan' to enlarge the hospital. In fact, even the car park cannot currently cope and so how would the site be able to cope?
* The greenbelt and farmland is a very important dividing area between the towns of Leamington and Warwick providing a 'green-lung' and open landscape. It is a thriving and successful agricultural business.
The view from the castle and the Avon Bridge would be destroyed by the urban sprawl of a modern estate, with a possible sea of solar panels and mixed heights of buildings. This will greatly diminish the current historic value of Warwick.
Tourism will be affected as the current charm and reputation of a day visit destination will be greatly impacted thus affecting local businesses.
* Parking is already an issue in the town centre and I do not see any provisions to alleviate this problem with the arrival of 9000 and more, new home occupiers who will be car dependant.
The verges of the farmland (SEE GALLOWS WAY) that is proposed for development are already littered with cars every day thus creating a dangerous hazard and also destroying wildlife habitat. This needs to be addressed URGENTLY. It also points to the fact that there are not enough provision for car spaces at the technological park and so where will more employees park?
There is also not enough parking provision on Tachbrook Park
* It is proposed that some land will be set-aside for new employment BUT the current Ford site has office building land available and 'APPARENTLY' no clients can be found to occupy this space? Why not use this area for housing? People need to be near the supermarkets and there are 5 in this area!!!! Who will occupy this new 'employeent' land?
* We need to look at more Brownfield sites for any local demand which is less than 6000 houses. The Pottertons site is a prime example of misguided and inappropriate development where many units are still not sold and several buildings have not been completed as the DEMAND IS NOT THERE.
The Pottertons site needs to be fully occupied and works completed which 'may' alleviate some of the new development issues.
In brief summary:
Too much pressure on infrastructure and roads; water supply and services.
Road capacity already reached.
Illegal levels of pollution.
Wildlife habitat destroyed.
Valuable food resources from agriculture - destroyed.
Tourism and local businesses - damaged and threatened.
Services overloaded.
Current housing not occupied or developments completed.
High concentration of supermarkets in one area necessitating car use for majority of home-owners.
Warwick will become an empty soul-less island in the middle of a giant car-park!
In short, I love my town and I do not want to see it drown beneath a pile of bricks and cars. The ''Local Plan' is ridiculous over-implementation in extreme and the quantity of new housing needs to be reduced by 50% for the future sustainability of the town and its' residents.