Do you agree that the Council has identified all reasonable options for Town Centres?

Support

Representation ID: 5513

Received: 22/09/2009

Respondent: Mr and Mrs G Morgan

Number of people: 2

Support.

Support

Representation ID: 5569

Received: 20/09/2009

Respondent: George Martin

Support.

Support

Representation ID: 5644

Received: 20/09/2009

Respondent: Jane Boynton

Important to maintain the identity of our individual towns and avoid creating a massive conurbation.

Support

Representation ID: 5691

Received: 22/09/2009

Respondent: Roger Warren

Support.

Support

Representation ID: 5753

Received: 24/09/2009

Respondent: Philip Wilson

Support.

Support

Representation ID: 5838

Received: 13/10/2009

Respondent: Pamela Payne

Town centres need to be developed, not everyone has access to a car! BUT parking in the town is needed so people will come and not go to out of town.

Object

Representation ID: 5881

Received: 05/10/2009

Respondent: Mr and Mrs C G Price

Object

Support

Representation ID: 5904

Received: 28/09/2009

Respondent: Mr Alan Roberts

But support should be given to within existing centres.

Support

Representation ID: 5985

Received: 23/09/2009

Respondent: Debbie Harris

Support.

Support

Representation ID: 6022

Received: 23/09/2009

Respondent: Paul Skidmore

Support.

Object

Representation ID: 6064

Received: 23/09/2009

Respondent: Mr Stephen Skidmore

Object.

Object

Representation ID: 6152

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: Barry & Valerie Sankey

Number of people: 2

Leamington town centre has greater footfall than Coventry and, for many, is the preferred retail destination. Development at Kings Hill will lead to environmentally unsustainable traffic growth from Coventry to Leamington.

Object

Representation ID: 6178

Received: 13/10/2009

Respondent: John, Elaine and Sarah Lewis

Object

Support

Representation ID: 6246

Received: 24/09/2009

Respondent: Ross Telford

Kenilworth needs help to boost trade - new railway station would be great help.

Object

Representation ID: 6304

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: Mr and Mrs Cheatle

The old Ford site is at this time standing empty and makes the area look awful - This is one of the sites that could benefit with some pleasant looking housing or new industrial sites.

Object

Representation ID: 6328

Received: 18/09/2009

Respondent: John Jessamine

Object.

Object

Representation ID: 6431

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: graham leeke

- WDC should take initiative in setting up Development Agencies to regenerate Old Town and canal side areas. These to include mixed employment /workshop/housing. Already too much retail - many unused sites could be redeveloped for housing.

Support

Representation ID: 6861

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: Binswood Allotment Society

As the Options Document covers the period up to 2026, the pedestrianisation or the removal of cars from the Parade should be considered.

Object

Representation ID: 6928

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: Bishops Tachbrook Parish Council

Town Centres
The Parish Council does not think that the Council has identified all reasonable options. Contrary to the approach taken in the development of the Preferred Option Paper for housing and employment land, there is no strategy provided as to how the town centres should evolve over the term. There is conflict between development of town centres to promote their vitality and viability and conservation desire to maintain the centres as they were. Conservation should be reserved for buildings or areas which are good examples of their kind and need refurbishment to keep them economically viable but not where to do so would impair the vitality and attractiveness that could otherwise be achieved. This is a particular problem in Leamington and Warwick which is made more difficult by the mixing of traffic with shops, arising from the town layout designed before the invention of motor vehicles. Resolving this issue needs a bold strategy to change current principles.
If 45,000 sq m is said to be required for office floorspace within or on the edge of Leamington town centre, has the need for the 4,500 or so jobs that would arise to fill that area been identified in terms of businesses looking to open or expand in this location? It could only work if adequate roads for the traffic generated and the parking that is essential for workers and customers is created to attract businesses into the town.
The Parish Council does not think that the Council has correctly determined the hierarchy of the town centres. The strategy for Leamington town centre needs to be clearer on its approach to dealing with the underperformance and should set out the options more clearly for sites for retail development. The underuse of shops in Leamington and Warwick may well arise from the introduction of internet shopping as well as impediments to customers from poor parking arrangements and charges. Before any ambitious plans are embarked on, customer satisfaction studies need to establish whether any new developments can be sustained.

Support

Representation ID: 6970

Received: 23/09/2009

Respondent: Kenilworth Chamber of Trade

Kenilworth Town centre is undergoing a renaissance and it is vital for the sustainability of the town that this continues whilst recognising that as a retail centre it will not compete directly with Leamington. Key to its ongoing sustainability is the need to create more employment uses and opportunities in the town to support the existing retail / leisure and employment opportunities that currently exist. This will help stem outward migration for employment. Seeking a balance to this will require additional support infrastructure [healthcare, education, housing and leisure facilities] and upgraded services / highways will also be critical.

Support

Representation ID: 6987

Received: 24/09/2009

Respondent: Norton Lindsey Parish Council

Supported

Object

Representation ID: 7040

Received: 24/09/2009

Respondent: Susan Butcher

Objects to Core Strategy in present form as it appears that none of proposed developments has any benefit for commercial activity of the town.
Preferred option to "direct retail, leisure and office growth to town centres" but there is little evidence that this will come to Warwick. Objective of further and rapid retail growth in Leamington puts Warwick at further disadvantage.
Appears to be no new employment opportunities suggested for Warwick and therefore no economic benefits for Warwick retailers and businesses from those employees.
Suggested siting of housing developments puts Warwick at disadvantage commercially with no clear vision of how people can access Warwick. No mention of improved public transport to Warwick and must be assumed that most of new residents and employees will use cars to access out of town retail.

Object

Representation ID: 7057

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: Warwick and Leamington Green Party

No justification for more shops in Leamington, particularly at Chandos Main reason visitors come here is because Leamington is attractive Regency town. Ambition must be for town centres to have high density housing within 1/2 mile walk of central shops to support vibrant local shopping centres. Should explicitly define town centres and immediate surrounding areas and allow buildings of increased height and mass.

Object

Representation ID: 7111

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: The Warwick Society

The concentration of excessive house-building on the greenfield land south east of Warwick, between it, Leamington, Whitnash and Bishops Tachbrook, would severely damage both Warwick town's setting and, through the traffic generated, its Town Centre.

Comment

Representation ID: 7129

Received: 16/09/2009

Respondent: The Theatres Trust

As well as shops town centres should provide range of realistic functions for leisure, recreation and cultural activities centred on restaurants, pubs, clubs, theatres, cinemas, libraries and museums. These elements play an active role in creating/maintaining vibrant town centres and contributing to stimulating night-time economy.

Use of word 'leisure' to describe functions of town centre is inadequate and document should address all elements of town centre uses as listed in PPS6. For clearer description of town centre uses, suggest - to provide a mix of uses for the retail, social, educational, spiritual, leisure and cultural needs of the community.

Object

Representation ID: 7249

Received: 16/08/2009

Respondent: Mrs M E Clare

Parking in Leamington will be imposible with all the extra cars development will generate.

Comment

Representation ID: 7448

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: Trilogy

Agent: Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners

We agree that Leamington Spa should be the focus for growth. However, opportunities will be constrained and therefore selective expansion should be brought forward.

The Core Strategy should recognise Leamington Spa town centre is underperforming, slipping down the sub-regional hierarchy and will continue to do so without major investment.

It should also recognise the need for a stronger foodstore anchor within or on the edge of the town centre.

It should also encourage the town to maximise its potential by seeking modern new retail attractions, particularly larger convenience and bulky comparison retail formats.

Support

Representation ID: 7462

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: Hatton Estate

Agent: RPS Planning

Support

Support

Representation ID: 7596

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: Coal Pension Properties Ltd

Agent: Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners

Support in principle, however, wording needs to reflect sequential approach.

Comment

Representation ID: 7613

Received: 24/09/2009

Respondent: Warwickshire County Council - Environment & Economy Directorate

The document 'Town Centre Management & Business Improvement District Capacity Building Workshop', used as evidence, is not an impartial piece of research.
Section 6.4 - a non statement with limited robust evidence and research to support this.
Section 6.15 - the wording 'Unique shopping character' is more of a marketing statement. Shops within Warwick are of a lower level than their peers in Leamington. The castle is the main attraction in Warwick and to enable Warwick to develop and expand, other facilities will need to improve, eg additional hotel space, parking facilities and tourism/visitor infrastructure.
Agree with approach to Kenilworth but should refer to proximity to NEC, potential for business tourism and need for improved hotel accommodation.