Object

Representation ID: 57888

Received: 29/07/2013

Respondent: Hazel and Robin Fryer

Objects to the Local Plan and in particular the inclusion of the Gateway development around Baginton. The very special circumstances justifying destruction of 300 ha of green belt have not been demonstrated. The RSS which is now defunct cannot be used to justify and support the Gateway. Warwick District has low unemployment so employment should be directed to areas in need in the region or the development will detract from redeveloping brownfield sites. Providing major employment away from population centres is in opposition to the transport strategy and it is not reasonable for Warwick to destroy the greenbelt to accomodate employment for 4900 Coventry residents when there is ample industrial land within there own boundaries.
The Coventry and Nuneaton regeneration zone is well north of the district and other development sites would better address unemployment needs in these areas. The provision of new buildings in the Gateway area could exacerbate these problems. The number of jobs to be provided is unproven, it is evident that there are few occupiers waiting to take up buildings or empty sites around Coventry would have been used. The suggestion that there are no alternatives outside the greenbelt is untrue, there are many unused sites Ansty, Daw Mill colliery etc and the case that these are unsuitable does not stand up to public scrutiny.

Development at Thickthorn is inappropriate and does not have very special circumstances to justify it. Commercial land on such a prominent position can only degrade the visual appearance of the road into Kenilworth. A belt of housing along the A46 is excessive and needs reducing or it will spoil the character of the area and disrupt the narrow adjacent residential roads.
Proposals to locate housing / industry at Gallows Hill is disruptive. The access along the Castle Park will downgrade the character of this historic approach if one side is lined with development.
The influence of external groups such as the CWLEP seem to have unduly influenced the local plan.