Object

Preferred Options for Sites

Representation ID: 64081

Received: 01/05/2014

Respondent: dr peter townsend

Representation Summary:

the proposed site at Brookside willows is unsuitable as it fails on multiple criteria, including impact on landscape character, heritage assets, visual amenity screening, availability of the site, deliverability , as well as breeching the governmental guidelines for semi rural sites. The proposal would have a massive impact on potential tourism and associated economic cost to warwick.

Full text:

due to its very close proximity to warwick town centre and less than a mile from Warwick castle, under P03 Availability of the site (including impact on the existing uses on the site)the site currently has planning permission for a tourist caravan site. this would be an ideal use due to its immediate proximity to the heart of Warwick and its central historical attractions. a tourist caravan site would add to tourism and the local economy. converting into a Gypsy/ traveller site would lose this valuable resource.

Under P03; Deliverability of the site and associated infrastructure requirements ; current planning applications to building residential properties in this area have been repeatedly turned down in part due to increased demand on resources, and any plans submitted now must include provision of additional schools and surgeries. This would not be possible on this site, and so would not be suitable as a permanent/ semi-permanent dwelling.

under p03;Impact on heritage assets and the settings of heritage assets; the site is directly opposite a heritage asset forming part of the castle estate, and neighbours a 14th century hamlet (The Asps). The impact on these areas would be significantly detrimental, and this has been in part responsible for the refusal of other residential planning applications in this particular area.

under p03 Impact on Landscape character; which can be defined as "The distinct and recognisable pattern of elements that occurs consistently in a particular type of landscape", a gypsy/ traveller site would absolutely oppose this definition. Whilst a tourist caravan site would be consistent with a historic town and be welcomed, a gypsy/ traveller site so close to the heart of Warwick would dramatically clash with the essential character.

under p03; Impact on visual amenity including the visibility and character of the site and surrounding area, there is limited screening possible from Banbury road, whilst the current tree line offers little or no cover for a significant portion of the year. As a tourist caravan park, the owners would have an essential interest in ensuring the highest standard of presentation at all times, with ongoing and comprehensive landscaping and maintenance. historically, traveller sites are often renowned for their damaging impact on the local character and visibility.

under the governmental planning policy for traveller sites; 'When assessing the suitability of sites in rural or semi-rural settings, local planning authorities should ensure that the scale of such sites does not dominate the nearest settled community.' In this instance, the nearest settled community is a 6 residence hamlet. This would be completely dominated by even a small gypsy/ traveller site.