Object

Gypsy and Traveller Site Options

Representation ID: 56326

Received: 28/07/2013

Respondent: Steve & Helen Gowland

Representation Summary:

Object to this site and site GT03 near Fosse Way and Harbury Lane. Regularly use this route and suggest compelling reasons why they are unsuitable.

Road safety - Very busy and difficult junction at crossroads of Harbury Lane and Fosse Way, making it already a high risk for traffic accidents. Both roads are busy, especially at peak hours. There are no paths and very concerned about increased risk if individuals and potentially children are near these roads and trying to cross to use public services.

Limited access to a GP surgery, schools and public transport.

Sites are close to Chesterton Windmill and site of old roman town. These important natural and historic features make the sites unsuitable.

Full text:

Ref. Proposed Gypsy & Traveller sites near Harbury (GT03, GT04)

I have been studying the proposal for the Local plan and draft policy for the criteria to assess traveller site suitability for Warwick District. The document provides a reasoned view and some direction on how the process will proceed.

I would however like to confirm my objection to the plans for the proposed sites near the Fosse Way and Harbury lane (GT03, GT04).

I regularly use this route and there are several compelling reasons why in my opinion the sites are not suitable. These include:

- Road safety. The crossroads at Harbury lane and the Fosse way is a very busy junction and extremely very difficult to turn onto the Fosse Way and over onto Harbury Lane. This junction is therefore already a high risk junction for traffic accidents. Both roads are busy during the day, but especially so at peak hours. There are no paths and the thought of individuals and potentially children near these roads is of serious concern and will potentially raise risks further.
- There is limited access to a GP surgery, schools or public transport.
- There is currently no public footpath on Harbury Lane which makes it a very unsafe and difficult road to walk on and also a difficult road to cross as a pedestrian trying to use local public services.
- The site is close to both Chesterton Windmill and the site of an old roman town. As important natural and historic features (photos are often taken facing west from the windmill) the sites would seem unsuitable.

In summary I do not believe these proposed sites are suitable as outlined above and I object to these sites on this basis.