GT02 Land abutting the Fosse Way at its junction with the B425

I would like to voice my strong objection to the proposals laid out in the revised development plan for traveller sites at the following locations.

Land at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, Fosse Way GT02
Land at Barnwell Farm, Harbury Lane GT03
Land at Harbury Lane, Fosse Way GT04
Land at Tachbrook Hill Farm, Banbury RoaGT05
Depot site to the west off Cubbington Hill Farm GT08

I live on the Fosse Way, near to the exhibition centre. I feel that, having three times recently become the victim of burglary, these locations further degrade the security and safety my family and the local residents.
I also believe it would add further blight to those already affected by HS2. If the exhibition centre site goes through I will have the train to one side of my property and the Gipsy site to the other. This, I believe will render my property unsellable.

I would ask that you rethink these proposals.

I'm grateful to have been consulted about the intention/need of the Warwick Council in finding suitable areas for gipy and travellers.
I'm appreciating that it would sign of civility allocate and organize specific area for accommodating, temporarely or permanently, people belonging to those communities.

To be honest, I don't have any personal preclusion for those persons, but I have experienced that the gipsies have been the cause of a significant and evident reduction in public order and security when they have moved nearby my previous location as: anti social behaviours, robberies and thefts.
Hence I'm strongly and firmly recommending the WDC to accommodate them at a "safe" distance to existing community/village/town as they are traveller so not really interested to be in touch to the Warwick community neither to integrate into.

I hope my opinion will be seriously taken into consideration and you will concur that the GT02 would be unsafely close to Radford Semele, Offchurch and several Primary Schools.

We received notification yesterday of a potential traveller site on the outskirts of Radford Semele by the Warwickshire Exhibition centre. I would like to add that I am strongly apposed to the proposal.

I consider the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre site should not be used as a Gypsy/Traveller Site. Reasons:
1.Visual impact on a main route into Leamington and possible damage to wildlife area
2.It's on The Fosse, an important, historic Roman Road and could have detrimental effects thereon
3.The Fosse itself has become a high risk accident area in recent years and locals have been injured and killed in the last few years.
4. Local amenities are stretched anyway - an influx of extra people making life very difficult for all.
5. Should the WEC close, this will have an enormous economic effect. Job losses etc.

Location GT02, at the Fosse Way / AS425 crossroads, would be wholly unacceptable as a gypsy site. It is a wide open landscape and visible to many who use these two routes devery day. It would harm the open countryside and has not positive merits.

If this site is chosen it will eliminate the business known as the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre on this site. It has already lost bookings because of the publicity of this plan. It employs about 40 people and brings £2m annually to the local economy.
There are a number of farming and other agriculatural/horticultural sites close to the proposed area which would suffer from exposue to unvaccinated dogs and other animals as well as the general usual contamination of the site.
Local public transport if very limited and the Fosse Way and Leamington/Southam Road are both fairly narrow and very busy roads - additional exits and entrances at the points near the areas under discussion would increase the danger for all travellers on these roads.
There are no local amenities or local surgeries.
The area has potential for additional archeological finds as well as being an area of considerable beauty.

Will result in the closure of the Warwick Exhibition centre which has lost business already, putting jobs at risk and losing the centres contribution of £2m to the local economy every year.

On a high risk travel route, the adjacent bus stop has no pavement on a overgrown verge, potentially dangerous.

Nearest doctors surgery has no capacity for the influx of new patients and the nearest is 5 miles away.

The Land is on a Historic Toll site from mediaeval times and on the Archaeological Register.

Will damage wildlife habitat in fields surrounding, and ruin visual impact across valley to Leamington and Warwick.

Will result in the closure of the Warwick Exhibition centre which has lost business already, putting jobs at risk and losing the centres contribution of £2m to the local economy every year.

On a high risk travel route, the adjacent bus stop has no pavement on a overgrown verge, potentially dangerous.

Nearest doctors surgery has no capacity for the influx of new patients and the nearest is 5 miles away.

The Land is on a Historic Toll site from mediaeval times and on the Archaeological Register.

Will damage wildlife habitat in fields surrounding, and ruin visual impact across valley to Leamington and Warwick.

Will result in the closure of the Warwick Exhibition centre which has lost business already, putting jobs at risk and losing the centres contribution of £2m to the local economy every year.

On a high risk travel route, the adjacent bus stop has no pavement on a overgrown verge, potentially dangerous.

Nearest doctors surgery has no capacity for the influx of new patients and the nearest is 5 miles away.

The Land is on a Historic Toll site from mediaeval times and on the Archaeological Register.

Will damage wildlife habitat in fields surrounding, and ruin visual impact across valley to Leamington and Warwick.

This sort of site would not be suitable for this area. Our children could not get a place at the local school as schools are very oversubscribed in our area. We run a family farm. We have no choice about where we live but they do so please don't land this on our doorstep when we are still dealing with the shock of HS2.

Reasons for objection:
1a) the nearest doctor's surgery has not the capacity to take a large amount of new patients.
b) the local schools are already oversubscribed and turning away local residents.
c) the adjacent bus stop has no pedestrian access.
2a) the site is on a high risk route which has frequent accidents
b) the site is on a busy commuter route with no pedestrian accident.
3a) the site is adjacent to protected ancient woodland, damage to wildlife is inevitable.
b) there will be a visual impact across the valley gateway to Leamington and Warwick
c) the site is on the Archaeological Register (ancient pottery has recently been found) and the land is on an Historic Toll site from medieval times.
4a) impact on the local economy - Establishing a traveller site here will force the closure of the warwickshire exhibition centre, which has already lost prospective business. This means that local jobs are at risk and that the significant contribution that the exhibition centre makes to the local economy will be lost (I believe this to be in the region of £2m).
b) there will be an inevitable effect on local business which will lose trade generated through outside businesses using the centre.

With reference to GT02.
I object for the following reasons;

1) The proposed site will be direct access off a fast road - the Fosse Way (National Speed Limit I.E. 60mph), which is listed as an 'High Risk' travel route, with more than 12 serious accidents in the last 3 years - Not safe for slowing down and turning with caravans.

2) There are no nearby bus stops for public transport - the nearest is in either Ufton or Radford Semele, and there are neither footpaths or street lighting either along the Fosse Way, or the Southam Road - meaning that both pedestrians and drivers are in danger of potentially serious accidents.

3) Lack of schools and school places: Nearest junior schools are in either Harbury, Radford Semele or Long Itchington, and senior schools in either Southam, Royal Leamington Spa or Warwick. The issue with local junior schools again is lack of pedestrian footpaths to either Radford Semele or Harbury, and for the senior schools the fact that attending them would require vehicles, and therefore increased carbon footprint.

4) Lack of nearby health facilities: Small scale doctor's surgeries at both Harbury and Southam may not be able to cope with an influx of additional patients from a nearby Traveller site, and again, no pedestrian footpaths or bus service to them from the proposed Fosse Way site.

5) Nearby Ancient Sites: The Fosse Way is itself an 'Ancient' site, being a Roman Road, and the proposed site is on the Archaeological Register with Ancient Pottery having been found. The land is also an historic Toll Site from medieval times.

6) Rural Environment: I feel that there will be damage to the local wildlife habitat, and the proposed site is adjacent to protected ancient woodland.

7) Impact on Local Economy: It seems complete madness in a time of economic turmoil to 'compulsory purchase' and close down a site that has a current, viable and sustainable business - that both contributes approximately £2M annually to the local economy, and also brings in 'knock on' trade to the area and it's economy, as well as providing desperately needed local jobs. I hardly think the Government would approve such an action plan.

Reference to council cariteria:
Local GP surgery does not have sufficient capacity for proposal.
Local schools are already oversubscribed.
Bus stop near site is dangerous as it stands.
Access to site is via a road which is known to be a high accident risk area.
Access to site is via a road which is a busy commuter route with no pedestrian access.
Site is adjacent to protected woodland, proposal would lead to irreparable damage.
Site is on the archaeological register, land is on historic toll site from medieval times, again proposal would lead to irreparable damage.
It would be impossible to integrate the proposal into the countryside without permanent damage to the character of the area.
As a regular visitor and exhibitor at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, the proposal will have severe impact upon this venue. This must not be permitted to happen.

Although the site meets several of the Council's criteria for suitability/sustainability in respect of travelling families needs I feel I must object on the following grounds;
1. Local Economy
2. Tourism
3. Co-existence
4. Rural Landscape
5. Agriculture
This is because the Exhibition Centre situated on part of the site attracts many people to the area. It also provides employment opportunities for local people. Sadly I feel its close proximity to the proposed site will adversly effect the numbers visiting.
There would also be a loss of rural/agricultural land needed for food production to meet the increasing demand of a growing population.

I object to the proposed plans based on the Key Information that have been risen to the residents of Radford Semele and surroundings areas. The Key Information on leaflets have concerned myself and my family such as Local Amenities, which is so important to the community.

Site opens onto a busy road with potential for visual impact on rural scene. There will be undue pressure on the Bishops Tachbrook and Whitnash schools.
Do not consider meets the site requirements as laid down in the relevant consultation document.

The site is not suitable because it will spoil what is an essentially rural site which at present looks in harmony with the surrounding countryside. Also, if the proposed development was 30 houses for sale or as part of the stock of council houses I would expect the planning office would reject it on the grounds that it encroaches on greenbelt land. The same criteria should be applied to this suggested development and thus be rejected.
Also, I do not believe that the nearby communities have the capacity in schools or doctors to accept increased numbers of residents nearby.

The Fosse Way is not a suitable site for high density of children on the site due to the busy nature of the road, the accident rate and lack of pavement, lighting etc to safely access bus routes. There would be undue pressure on local facilities eg gp surgeries which are already under strain. The site would also impact the countryside landscape which is very rural at this location.

The site is unsuitable due to the road being very busy, with a high accident rate and without paving, lighting etc for safely walking to bus stops, into Radford Semele etc. The site would pressurise local amenities such as go surgeries which do not have the capacity. The site would also negatively impact the rural countryside landscape.

Local services, facilities, medical care and schools cannot accommodate further development of this type and there would be many effects on what is a well established settled community.

Local services, facilities, medical care and schools cannot accommodate further development of this type and there would be many effects on what is a well established settled community.

The site would result in many features such as street/site lighting, pavements, bus stops and possible road widening to provide access and this would be urbanisation of what is now open countryside.

Utilities infrastructure insufficient.
Impact on local events centre business damaging to local economy.
Insufficient local amenities to support additional population e.g. doctors surgery.
Potential eye-sore of development on key route into Leamington which will have a detrimental effect on local business and tourism.
Dangerous location for traveller children so close to two public highways.
Additional traveller traffic will have adverse effect on public traffic on key arterial routes.
A proposed site spanning two sides of a road which is cited as an accident hotspot is highly dangerous to entire traveller settlement.

I am writing to object to the proposed site GT02. The area is totally unsuitable for development for a number of reasons:

1. There is no convenient access to a GP surgery, school or public transport. The local surgeries are full, and the schools are nearly full. Public transport to this area is sporadic at best.

2. There is not safe access to the road network. The Fosse Way is an extremely busy and dangerous road, particularly at peak times. It is already overloaded, and the added traffic from a development site would place undue stress on the network. It would also add to the danger of the road. Children from the site would be at high risk when crossing roads to use public transport or walk into the village.

3. The exhibition centre is an extremely successful local business which provides a large number of jobs for local people. It also brings in a lot of tourist money: when events are on, people go into Leamington and Warwick to spend money. The business would be destroyed by any development on its grounds. This would be detrimental to our existing communities and to the towns.

4. A development would place enormous strains on our local community. Not just on the services and amenities, which are already stretched. But also on the small community on the other side of the roundabout on the Fosse Way. We would be totally overwhelmed by incoming residents.

There is a solution: it is my understanding that Warwick District Council already has a piece of land with planning permission for a permanent travellers' site. It's there, it's ready for use, and it has been approved. Save taxpayers' money and your time and use it.

Kind regards,

Vicky Fraser

It would be great to be able to offer sessional youth work support to the young people on the sites. The Warwickshire Association of Youth Clubs would be interested in offering such support if funded by say the Community Levy

I believe that there are not sufficient local facilities for the site, along with my concerns for the safety of gypsy children and potential peers from villages who may be endangered by the 2 very busy and fast roads surrounding it.

I understand that consideration is being given to locating the above on Fosse Way on land near exhibition Centre. Site GT02


I believe that there are many reasons why this site is unsuitable:

the Fosse Way has for meant years been a dangerous road with frequent accident along the length and this is very evident at the stretch near the exhibition center. There are signs showing accident that have been fatal and also recently additional speed cameras. This cannot make sense for use with the planned traveler site without risk to life and property!
The exhibition center has varied and increasing usage.... I personally have attended events there that are well managed and easily accessible and most importantly in out current economic environment the site gives vital employment to many locals a number of times every year and it gives also an increasing number each year as the reputation grows. All; these would be lost with the new usage.
Transport to and from the site is not simple unless by car...ie the bus transport is not frequent and relies on a bus stop based on a grass verge! Not really suitable for mothers children etc. How do kids get to school?
Whilst considering transport for schooling then how will the travelers manage with medical services the Doctors are already stuffed with patients locally with inconvenient patient booking appointments and long waits.
Staycations to help our UK economy will only work if we ensure that our countryside is accessible and attractive to the holiday makers, Leamington and Warwick have been successful in doing so and this site at GT02 will surely put a break on that! It will turn an attractive approach for the Fosse to an eyesore.

Please do NOT approve this site for this use!

In reference to SITE GT02 gypsy travel site.
As a resident of Radford semele I strongly object to the proposed traveller site on the outskirts of the village.
Reasons are as followed;

Issues with the councils criteria
In relation to the access to the GP, Schools and public transport travelling communities do not pay anything into the system regarding tax or national insurance, therefore I cannot see how they should be entitled to any of the above privileges. These are not free services that all us residence have to finance and still at times struggle to get our own children into the local schools. This is a well known issue among local parents that the council are well aware of.

In regards to the risk of flooding travellers seem to be very capable of selecting an area to site their homes that is unlikely to flood.
The proposed site at Radford is on a very busy major arterial route on a national speed limit road. This in itself raises the question of how it can be safe access to the road network especially as for local residents of surrounding villages all this will do is ever increase an already problematic road and thus increase the risk of a serious accident.
This is ever highlighted by the criteria when referring to the provision of parking and turning of large vehicles at slow speeds.
In terms of utilities being provided they are a travelling community they have sustained themselves until now and therefore why do they need to be provided for at a cost of the tax payer I might add.

I have a huge concern for the impact of the traveller site in regards to the landscape and local community as outlined in the criteria as it is being sited in beautiful countryside and also with regards to living and working in the same location there is nothing they can do at that site that would benefit the community. It would take more money than it would return.
As you can see from the concerns above the criteria outlined does not fit with the proposed site in Radford semele.
　
I OBJECT TO THE PROPOSALS ON THE FOLLOWING GROUNDS;
I don't see why a criteria has been drawn up for a travelling gypsy community for as far as I'm aware doesn't exist in the local area. And I furthermore object that you are favouring their requirements over the needs of the local community who above all else will be paying to create it let alone have to live with it. This is totally unacceptable.

Radford semele is a secure quiet and peaceful village I have a serious objection to the travelling community as they are renowned for attracting trouble. As a young woman the fact that the street lights now go out at midnight I will not feel safe in my own home anymore. I often walk my dog late at night and currently feel safe even when the street lights go out, however if you are to go ahead and grant the travellers site just down the road from the village I will no longer accept street lights being turned off at midnight thus increasing your costing as a local council and also harming the environmental standing of the Warwickshire district council.

As a young woman I will be looking at starting my own family in the near future. As a Radford semele born and bread naturally I look to raise my family in the village due to its quiet secure nature allowing children to play outdoors and feel safe and secure as did I when I was a child growing up here. I have no doubt in my mind that if the travelling community is allowed to site on our door step this will drastically change the nature of this village and I don't see why I should have to relocate to accommodate what is essentially a travelling family by choice.

In regards to business and local authorities can you please explain to us how you can justify siteing these people outside our village and claiming it to be a peaceful and beneficial thing for the community, Yet when the horse fair was on in Kenilworth and also the Warwick MOP on both occasions police and local councils issued a letter of recommendation to the local business to close down for the period that they were in town due to the previous years damage rate. This therefore surely highlights the opposite of benefiting the community as was stated in the criteria from the council.
It has already been made clear that this site will have an adverse effect on businesses in the local community when they Warwick exhibition centre who is situated directly opposite and is a large importance in the area has already claimed a loss of business due to the announcement of this proposed site.
People in this village pay a higher premium for property and services to have a high quality of living to have the benefit of the town but the feeling of countryside this introduction of a travelling site is going to have a detrimental effect on the image of this area and as a result will have a decrease of people wishing to move to this area. The knock on effect of this could resort in people in the village losing a large amount of money as well as the true reasons as to why they live in this area.
This is not acceptable.

I trust the council have considered adjusting the levels of tax accordingly if these plans go ahead as it will no longer be a desirable area.
As you can see from the above points an alternative location needs to be found for the gypsy and travellers site as this site on the outskirts of Radford Semele, Harbury, and Ufton will have to much of a detrimental effect on the community and one of the other three I might add are yet to be named need to be seriously considered.

I am writing this letter with regards to the listing of Warwick Exhibition Centre being a possible site for the required permanent traveller and gypsy site.

My father owns and runs a caravan park (Harbury Fields Farm) on Middle road, Harbury. The caravan park holds 35 caravans, where tourists are able to bring their own caravans and motor homes and pitch up to stay for a period of between 1 day and 28 days.

Frequently, we have had guests that are visiting the Warwick Exhibition Centre for a function stay on the caravan park and consequently, they have prolonged their visit to tour the area. The tourists invest their money in to the local village of Harbury, by visiting the public houses and buying groceries from the local supermarkets and grocery shop.
Furthermore, our tourists commonly use the local bus service (a bus stop is located at the end of our farm drive) to get to Leamington Spa and Warwick itself, again investing their money into our local economy.

We fear that if a traveller site is placed at GT02, the reduction in popularity and frequency of events held at the Warwick Exhibition Centre will not only negatively effect our private business but will have subsequent effects on the local economy of Warwickshire. For this reason, I would like to make an objection to the planning of this site as a possible choice.

In addition to economic concern, the Fosse way has proven to be a very dangerous road over the past decade where fatal and tragic accidents have occurred on a number of occasions. This raises reason for great concern for the safety of the families that would be moving to this site, particularly if travelling on foot, by bicycle or when attempting to reach a nearby bus stop.

Please take this email as my formal objection to the proposal of Warwick Exhibition Centre becoming a permanent site for travellers or Gypsies.

I am voicing my objection to the site by Warwick exhibition centre. It is close to Harbury, ufton, southam and radford, and we have had problems with numerous thefts in the villages every time travellers are passing through. It is also a most inappropriate site as is on a busy dangerous stretch of road, with no public amenities, footpath etc. It will also be an eyesore as it is in a valley and will be visible from every road passing it (4 roads) regardless of how high a hedge might be.