Object

Publication Draft Local Plan: Focused Consultation

Representation ID: 67206

Received: 12/12/2014

Respondent: Mr Peter Lamb

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? No

Representation Summary:

1) A football stadium is an inappropriate development within a proposed residential area, and there is no obvious justification for moving it from Harbury Lane.
2) The site is in a prominent position where its stands and floodlights would scar the skyline as seen much of the surrounding area, especially the outlook from the castle.
3) All of the Warwick area would be seriously affected by increased traffic and associated parking/exhaust pollution issues.
4) Noise/light pollution from floodlights do not seem to have been considered.
5) It is likely that community amenities and other facilities would be curtailed if this development went ahead.

Full text:

1) A football stadium is a totally inappropriate development within a proposed residential area, and there seems to be no justification for moving it from a perfectly adequate existing site on Harbury Lane. If a move is essential, then the proposed Country Park to the South of Harbury Lane appears to be a better location, where the stadium would be far less intrusive to its neighbours.
2) The proposed site is in a prominent position where its stands and floodlights would scar the skyline as seen from Warwick and much of the surrounding area, especially the outlook from the castle. The historic context of the castle and Castle Park would be irretrievably damaged. The area should be given such protection as was included in previous developments, such as Warwick Technology Park.
3) A stadium would be of benefit to only a very small number of local residents, but all of the Warwick area would be seriously affected by increased traffic (which the road system cannot accommodate) and the associated parking and exhaust pollution issues. These are issues that have already been raised many times with regard to the excessive housing developments currently proposed for Warwick, and no satisfactory solution has been forthcoming.
4) Noise pollution and light pollution from floodlights (potentially over a wide area) are also important issues that do not seem to have been considered in proposing this location.
5) It is highly probable that community amenities and sports/recreational/play facilities would be curtailed if such a development should go ahead, in order to avoid substantial reductions in the housing numbers that WDC seems intent on providing, in spite of clear evidence that such high numbers are not required.