Object

Representation ID: 63565

Received: 17/02/2014

Respondent: Dr Paul Thornton

Following comments relate to Site 7:
Fundamentally, this site creates no new outgrowth of the village as it lies enclosed by boundaries of the existing residential area. It will accommodate new development without changing the character and the qualities of the village. It does not contribute to further ribbon development. It is in the core of the village community within easy walking distance of the existing village hall, the school, the public house, the Tile Hill railway station, and the established nearest Tile Hill shops. It is within 200m of all the bus services that pass through the village, particularly the only service with multiple journeys through the day between Coventry and Balsall Common/Berkswell Rail Station. This site is in close proximity to the National Cycling Network Route to Balsall Common and to Kenilworth and Warwick University that will persist post HS2 Construction.

Deliverability of the site - We have been advised by the consultation team that the multiple ownership of the site was the concern in respect of its deliverability. We understand that concern. To ensure this is fully addressed for the benefit of all, a formal Land Owner Cooperation and Promotion Agreement between the various owners has been created and signed and a copy is attached with this submission. This also documents that agreement has been reached, subject to contract, for the sale of 378 Cromwell Lane to two of the parties who already own part of the site. This commitment will provide excellent access for the site. The whole site therefore falls within the freehold of only 5 parties and the substantial majority of the site area lies with just two of the parties. But under the terms of the agreement, all are joined and functioning as a single entity and this response is a submission from all these parties.

Access to the site - Our initial submission of the site to the planning department for consideration under the local plan consultation did not identify an access route as we were told that this would not assist consideration of the site at that stage. We had several options available and it was disappointing that a perceived lack of access contributed to our site being labelled as "discounted" without further dialogue. However, as confirmed above, that issue is now wholly resolved. The freehold at 378 Cromwell Lane has been acquired, subject to contract, so as to provide, through demolition, an excellent access route for the site.

Finally, the Burton Green Housing Option 7 was deemed to be "too close" to the proposed HS2 railway line by the Environmental Health assessment. We have subsequently provided the planning department with the projected sound contour map produced by HS2 Ltd in respect of Burton Green (copy incl). This map confirms that the sound level attributed to HS2 is substantially attenuated in respect of our site by the tunnel through which the rail line will pass at this location. For the avoidance of doubt, I have also outlined the area of Housing Option 7 on this map, along with the area of Housing Option 1. The tunnel is also shown on the map.