Object

Representation ID: 65902

Received: 27/06/2014

Respondent: Mr Simon Megeney

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? No

Site GT04
Para 4.71
Only reason site remains a preferred option is that Leamington FC amendable to sale of land for this use. Majority of shareholders do not want to sell land and CPO not an option - site should be withdrawn from consultation. Points for keeping site do not comply with NPPF and would fail at appeal.
Amended map shows substantial area of land beyond FC ownership and land is not for sale. Wholly inappropriate location. Permanent siting would not deliver fair or equal treatment of Gypsies and Travellers residing at this site.
In direct conflict with paras 3.3, 3.6 and 3.12 of guidance within 'Designing Gypsy and Traveller Sites' on selecting locations - inappropriate for ordinary dwellings unless exceptional circumstances apply - clear that no such circumstances apply
Road Safety: Harbury Lane busy with 50mph speed limit as vehicles travel to M40, Leamington Spa, Warwick and Jaguar Land Rover at Gaydon. Fosse Way has 60mph speed limit with continuous stream of traffic throughout the day. A425 to B4100 is accident black spot. Harbury Lane junction dangerous owing to speed and volume of traffic
No footpaths and presumably would not consider having one laid considering limited number of people to benefit. Limited width of Harbury Lane. Gas pipeline stopped consideration of development along Harbury Lane - costly infrastructure.
Does not satisfy NPPF with regard to shops, schools, GPs, road safety and safe pedestrian route
Children cannot stand on busy road waiting for school transport
Education: Nearest school said to be at Bishops Itchington but this does not take account of 115 new houses granted pp there or 200 at former cement works. School age children would have to travel to Leamington Spa. Education does not comply with NPPF requirements
Health: GP surgery at Bishops Tachbrook, Whitnash or Harbury. Nearest is Harbury and surgery struggling to cope
Health care does not comply with NPPF
Integration: Relatively isolated site. Should be right of settled community to decide whether to live close to and integrate with larger settled or traveller community - consensus of opinion is that do not want this
Site not considered to be a respectful distance from existing community. Does not comply with NPPF
Integration into landscape:
Football ground is on low flood plain overlooked by Harbury and Chesterton windmill. Ground itself has been elevated and cannot be integrated into landscape without harming visual appearance and character of the area
Would spoil views from Chesterton windmill, a Grade I Listed Building and landmark. The windmill and Roman Fosse Way must be taken into consideration
Landscape integration does not comply with NPPF
Flooding/Drainage:
Area effectively in flood plain and livestock moved accordingly. Harbury Lane often flooded and impassable
Planning and Building Regulations cannot be complied with as unable to soak away or runoff due to clay based soil
Does not comply with NPPF
Infrastructure:
Infrastructure is poor and requires considerable investment. No mains gas, sewerage or drainage. Electricity supply a problem as rural system which may need upgrading
BT consider site to be too far from Whitnash exchange to provide telephone or internet. There is no reliable mobile phone service
Does not comply with NPPF
Aroma Emissions Zone:
Site close to intensive poultry unit with unbearable odour. Odour plume diagram shows site would be affected according to prevailing winds, especially in August. Area not suitable for residential occupation.
Compulsory Purchase/Planning Policy:
Clear guidance from DCLG that land should not be CPOd for this use -bad practice. When football ground withdraws offer, site should be removed from preferred list
Preferred Option Report:
Public opinion being ignored. Similar sites, but one included and one excluded - neither satisfies NPPF
Leamington Football Club:
Unviable as Gypsy and Traveller site
Stakeholders do not want to move - CPO should not be considered an option
WDC should consider how they are spending funds
Site is unsuitable whether or not available
Underutilisation of G&T sites:
Site at Ryton underutilised
Unfair on settled community if G&T get support, funding and attain planning as it is discriminatory
Suggested sites:
Kenilworth - accepts horse fair. Should be considered for permanent pitches
House prices:
Effect on house prices and need for compensation package
Money Laundering Regulations:
WDC should be aware of regulations and must ensure policies comply with guidance
Salford University Report and other points:
Not an objective report. No local knowledge. Relied on few interviews so not reliable
Not enough Travellers in UK to fill number of sites being provided - why there are so many vacant pitches in Ryton?
Contains many flaws that will result in overprovision wasting council funds in providing infrastructure
G&T should be satisfied with Council houses and not included in total need
Questions about methodology used from other areas. Decisions should be deferred until full investigation carried out
Does not consider existing capacity on current sites
WDC previous report identified lesser requirement
Only one interviewee in house wanted a pitch
No residents landowners or small businesses interviewed for opinions
Over estimate of number of G&T in UK
No analysis of illegal encampments carried out
GTAA says only seven traveller families in caravans so that should be maximum needed
No illegal sites in Warwick district so no sites required
NPPF and WDC Public Consultation Options 2013:
WDC has not followed guidance regarding numbers. Maximum should be 5.
All relevant objections and public opinion ignored. Sites with similar issues treated differently
Cannot expect all G&T to have access to vehicles when schools and GPs over 2.5miles away.
Correct answers given to the public but then ignored answers.
Cost of new football club provision and conversion of old ground plus infrastructure will be too expensive
WDC should comply with Government policy and not force 'fewer problems' on a small community
Who will be monitoring and enforcing regulations because ethnic minority status may make enforcement difficult. Maintaining settled community basic human rights should also be a priority.
Green Belt argument fails as Gypsy camp can be put on tiny bit of Green Belt
Reasons why WDC should not comply with G&T Planning Policy:
MPs discussing relevance of ethnic minority status and unsatisfactory GTAA production, including whether those no longer travelling should be included. Council's no longer pressured into CPO for this purpose. Should review situation and defer final decision