Object

Representation ID: 6919

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: Bishops Tachbrook Parish Council

Bishop's Tachbrook Parish Council believe that the Preferred Option is not the best choice for Warwick District - but that it is possible to find a better alternative
ï‚· The popular Options and Directions of Growth have been set aside
ï‚· The key issues (e.g. air quality) have disppeared
ï‚· Regeneration of the deprived areas of the towns is not persued
ï‚· The quantity of green field proposed for development is much higher than it needs to be
This culminates in the proposal for development on the green fields of Lower Heathcote Farm and Grove Farm, on the south side of Harbury Lane and the northern bank of the Tach Brook.
This is something that we find wholly unacceptable because it threatens the very existence of our village. As a group, we know our residents do not want this.
For this reason, we strongly object to WDC's Core Strategy Preferred Options.
We have thoroughly reviewed the sites listed in the Housing Land Assessments, and we believe there are brown field sites where gains in employment land or housing could be made. We are therefore able to propose at least one alternative which:
ï‚· Honours the outcome of the Public Consultation into the Options.
ï‚· Retains the historic buildings against a rural backdrop - the fundamental essence of Warwick District.
ï‚· Seeks to regenerate the deprived areas.
ï‚· Seeks to better utilise brown field sites.
ï‚· Reduces the quantity of green fields required for development.
ï‚· Requires less infrastructure.
We recommend that the Council re-considers the Preferred Options in order to achieve the outcome which is the least harmful to Warwick District.
Vision & Strategy
The Parish Council does not agree with the Vision in the Preferred Option. Either within the 10 statements or in additional statements the following should be included in the Vision.
1. A significant proportion of the population lives in rural communities (56,000). Village communities should be protected from urban development and nurtured by providing essential resources. The vision gives more attention to conserving buildings than conserving communities.
2. No vision is provided for the growing problem of an ageing population. There will be greater numbers over 65 and active elderly requiring independent living but with support and social facilities that could be helped by the retirement village concept, releasing family homes to the housing market.
3. Statement 3 should be extended to include provision of more University Halls of Residence to release family homes occupied by fulltime students in both Coventry and Warwick DC. In 2001 6,424 students were resident in Warwick district. Warwick university has 16500 ft students (soon expected to be 20,000) of which 5000 have halls accommodation If 5000 more were in halls, over 1000 houses would be released towards the supposed housing need and many of these would be affordable letting homes. Could be funded in part by development levy or housing associations.
The Parish Council does not agree with the Growth Strategy in the Preferred Option.
1. There are no references to improving transport and mobility for the whole community.
2. Objective No5 implies that development is the only remedy to improve vibrancy. There is also no reference to developing a learning culture and insufficient reference to the development of cultural attractions.
3. No 6 should state that Grade 1 & 2 agricultural land should not be considered for housing development because of the need to avert national future food production crises. Land that is currently subject to rural area policies should remain protected in order to facilitate objectives 10 & 13.
4. The strategic objectives should recognize the interdependence between WDC and neighbouring authorities in particular Coventry and Rugby. Many WDC residents work in them and many of their residents work in WDC. Hence when considering employment, housing and transport issues, authorities should work together to produce plans that help all communities.