Comment

Representation ID: 65607

Received: 02/06/2014

Respondent: Bishop's Tachbrook Parish Council

[Report by Link Support Services (UK)Ltd on behalf of Bishop's Tachbrook Parish Council. The report comments on the suitability of the site use as Gypsy and Traveller in two parts - a general assessment and a detailed commentary on WDC's own assessment of the site ].

Site Suitability:

* It is evident that this 'preferred site' site has significant potential to become a site for gypsies and/or travellers given that it has extant planning permission for purposes which are not dissimilar to the proposed use.

* This use was supported (with condition) by both BTPC and the Warwick Society. The site has good (recently installed) access suitable for caravans and other large vehicles and from discussions with many local residents there is a widespread (though not unanimous) view that this is a locally 'preferred' option.

* BTPC is however cautioned to seek detailed reassurances from WDC - that a number of key issues are addressed relating to:
(a) Contamination
(b) Flood risk
(c) Ecological protection
(d) Sustainability (there being 'poor access to public transport and no suitable path along the A425 for walking'

Detailed information is required from WDC and any prospective developer (an early stage) to justify continued inclusion as a 'preferred site' and/or in the event that any Planning Application is brought forward. This will provide confidence to all parties (including an Inspector at Examination in Public and any prospective developer) regarding the viability and deliverability of the site.

Site expansion concerns:

* BTPC should also seek reassurances from WDC that any support for residential use of this site should not be seen as a 'green light' for further urbanisation and extend beyond the current site boundaries. This is important to preserve the openness and historic countryside otherwise enjoyed around this site - particularly given that 'Banbury Road is also part of the 'historic green approach to Warwick, culminating at the Castle Bridge' (Warwick Society).

* the issue of 'setting' has not been resolved satisfactorily but that it may be capable of being resolved given that similar issues were successfully addressed in the previous planning application.

* Should the owner of the site be minded to sell the site - or operate the site for traveller site purposes - it would therefore seem to offer a potential solution to deliver some pitch provision in the District i.e. up to a maximum of 10.

* Delivering this site in the short to medium term would no doubt rely on the owner, WDC and perhaps a third party - such as a specialist Housing Association provider - being able to agree terms to acquire, develop, deliver and maintain the site to high standards, securing in the process the necessary permissions. Failure to achieve this will significantly undermine the deliverability of the site - particularly if a lengthy process of compulsory purchase is embarked upon by WDC.

[Consultation Outcomes:
Feedback from residents at two local consultation meetings indicated that this was generally (although not unanimously) a locally 'preferred' option given the similarity in proposed use.

Residents also expressed the belief that if the site was owned and managed by a specialist Housing Association there would be greater levels of accountability, transparency and effectiveness to ensure that:

(a) Planning permissions would be implemented in a timely way - given lengthy delays associated with the current site and that
(b) Complex issues such as contamination monitoring and sensitive environmental protection would be better managed.

[Conclusions]:

BTPC is therefore recommended to welcome further discussions by WDC, the owner 'et al' regarding the future potential use of GTalt01 as a traveller site (with conditions) and request information relating to issues described above.

BTPC is also recommended to offer further opinion on this site:
(a) In the event that the site progresses to the draft submission stage (whereupon a further round of consultation will be launched by WDC).

(b) At any 'Examination in Public' phase of consideration by a Planning Inspector (should the site be taken forward).

(c) In the event that any new planning applications are brought forward for change of use.