Object

Representation ID: 66714

Received: 27/06/2014

Respondent: Gleeson Developments

Agent: Savills (L&P) Ltd

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

In addition, site H06 - East of Kenilworth (Thickthorn) must also include references to the other infrastructure requirements for the site as set out at paragraph 2.52 of the Plan, namely:
 Primary School
 GP Surgery
 Local Centre
 Open Space

It should also be noted that the allocation at Thickthorn is dependant on finding replacement playing fields to offset those that will be lost to the development. Standing advice from Sport England is to object to the loss of such facilities unless suitable and convenient replacement facilities can be provided. Sport England requires Local Plans to be justified with appropriate evidence. This would be in the form of an up-to-date Playing Pitch Strategy. No such strategy exists to inform the loss of the playing fields at Thickthorn. We are aware a Playing Pitch Strategy is currently being prepared. A draft is currently being reviewed internally with a view to publish the Strategy by the end Summer 2014. No informed decision can be taken on whether to include the playing fields until such a Strategy has been prepared and/or replacement facilities are provided in close proximity to meet the Sport England tests.

The Publication Draft document and the Garden Suburbs prospectus encourage sports
pitches/playing fields as part of a well planned, integrated, mixed use urban extension (Policy BE2). It seems illogical to therefore move established facilities that are both convenient for local residents and ideally located to help plan a sustainable urban extension for Kenilworth. The above stance is contrary to national policy.