Object

Representation ID: 57025

Received: 29/07/2013

Respondent: Mr Armitage, Mrs Grimes and Richborough Estates

Agent: Strutt & Parker

Paragraph 5.4.24 of the RDS requires the successful relocation of both sports clubs to suitable sites in the Kenilworth area before development takes place

The existing sports grounds comprise 12.64 hectares, or some 27% of the total allocation (46.7 hectares). Paragraph 177 of the Framework states that in 'plan-making' it is important to ensure that there are reasonable prospects that development will be delivered.

Until alternative locations are found the delivery of housing on this site cannot proceed.

The deliverability of the allocation and the ability to deliver 700 new dwellings in a single location, is questioned on account that sites in multiple ownership require effective collaboration which is in not in place.

Any shortfall in delivery will need to be made up on site(s) at Kenilworth - not elsewhere within the District especially given the role that the town can play in helping to meet any residual housing requirement generated by Coventry. It is therefore submitted that land at Warwick Road is a wholly suitable site to meet any shortfall in housing delivery.

The Merits of Land at Warwick Road, Kenilworth:
Client's land at Warwick Road was considered as part of a much large parcel of land (K6) to the south of Kenilworth in the Joint Green Belt Review carried out by SSR Planning in 2009.

Client's land extends to just over 5hectares, a small proportion of the total area of land parcel'K6'.

The Joint Green Belt Review concluded that land parcel 'K6':-

* Contributed to preventing sprawl south of Kenilworth;
* There would be no potential for coalescence south of Kenilworth;
* Assisted in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment south of Kenilworth;
* Contributed to preserving the setting and special character of Kenilworth; and
* That retention as green belt would encourage recycling of derelict and other urban land.

The Land at Warwick Road:

* is visually well contained for the most part with topography and vegetation combing to restrict views from longer distances;

* would provide a logical urban extension to Kenilworth in order to remedy existing and foreseen shortfalls in housing delivery;

* its development will result in a relatively small section of Green Belt being lost to residential development;

* it will provide - through landscaping - a robust and a more defensible edge to the town, thus preserving the Green Belt in the long term.

* Will provide opportunities for land to be brought forward within the control of client for sports and recreation use.

* will not lead (as a result of release from Green belt) to the unrestricted sprawl of a large built up area. (Kenilworth is not a large built up area for the purposes of the West Midlands Green Belt which contains the spread of the conurbation).

* Its development will not adversely impact upon the setting and special character of Kenilworth as a historic town.

* The release of the site will not undermine urban regeneration within the settlement.

* would help meet the need for more housing within the District in a sustainable location.

It is acknowledged that the release of the land would necessarily result in the encroachment of undeveloped agricultural land. This is almost inevitable with development on greenfield land surrounding an existing settlement.

However, by identifying the land at Warwick Road the treatment of the edge of the urban extension could be better planned to result in a more defensible and long term barrier, built with an appropriate design to complement the transition from urban area to Green Belt and open countryside, building at a lower density and result in a viable development.