GT11 Land at Budbrooke Lodge, Racecourse and Hampton Road

my wife and I, who live at 325 Birmingham Road , Warwick, next to the above site, would like to register our objection to the above proposal

this is a very busy road, and although there is a speed limit, cars still travel at excessive speed along here and having had 3 fatalities on this stretch of road in the last few years, we consider the entry and exit of caravans and other vehicles would make it even more hazardous
the site also runs alongside the canal towpath thereby presenting another hazard

would you please let me know if we should be doing anything else to register our objection

I have recently reviewed the gypsy and traveller sites options for consultation document and would like to raise a strong objection to the site located in plan GT11. I am a resident on Chase meadow and find it amazing that a site adjacent to an estate of near 1,200 homes, and more proposed nearby, would even be considered for a traveller site. It is inevitable that locating a traveller site in the position detailed in GT11 would adversely affect house prices, place further strain on local schools and amenities in addition to the environmental impact. The infrastructure in the local area is still incomplete with roads awaiting completion and others unadopted.

Further, many of the residents use the proposed site as a route for leisure activities such as dog walking, jogging etc given that it provides direct access from the estate to the racecourse and St Mary's lands.

I hope that the council can see that there are far more suitable locations for traveller sites, which would have less impact upon large numbers of residents.

I am writing as a resident of the "Chase Meadow" estate, off the Hampton Road in Warwick. I live in Wake Grove, not far from the estate entrance. Like many other residents on the estate, I have grave concerns regarding the proposals for Gypsy Traveller sites situated extremely near the estate. It is my understanding that repeated requests for a meeting between the planning department and local residents have been refused. Therefore I would like to request that the Chief Executive of the Council meets urgently with the local residents in order for us to have an opportunity to discuss the situation further.

As a resident of Chase Meadow and having lived on the estate since 2003 and also a business owner employing over 12 staff in Warwick I am writing with my concerns.

Firstly as I understand the proposed sites are purely in the planning stage and nothing has been set in stone but with that in mind and having been one of the longer standing residents I feel it is important to note that already we have a traffic problem and it took me over 10 minutes to pull out of Chase Meadow onto the Hampton Road only recently which is a frustration in itself.

There is already a parking issue around the pub (Unicorn) and the shopping complex and regularly there is no where to park and often people will use the main road causing a traffic problem with public transport as well as private vehicles.

A large proportion of the development is unadopted and is lacking in street lighting and I as a female walking my dog feel very uncomfortable walking in certain areas within the estate. Yet I pay full council tax as does a resident of Warwick who lives on an adopted road please explain?

I understand there is already a problem with flooding with parts of Chase Meadow so why by allowing additional residents surely it is only going to make matters worse and have a detrimental effect causing additional pressure on services.

The green fields around Chase Meadow seem to being transformed into more and more buildings whether it is an Ambulance Station, the Business Park and yet more offices, more housing, soon we shall have no where to walk our dogs as well as children being able to have some fresh air and kick a ball?

Please respond as you can see I have a number of issues which I urge you look at as a point of urgency?

I am a resident of Chase Meadow in Warwick an I have been for nearly sixteen years and I am very concerned about proposed plans for a number of Travellers sites which may be located within a 1,000 metres of this estate.

I believe these plans are part of the Revised Development Strategy and as a resident and Council Tax payer I believe there should be a formal dialogue and local meeting between the residents of Chase Meadow and the District Council.

I am therefore requesting as a local resident and member of the Chase Meadow Residents Association an urgent meeting so that we can have the opportunity to discuss and ask more questions about the proposals.

I look forward to hearing from you.

I hereby submit my opposition to the proposal for the Traveller Sites in the Chase Meadow, Warwick area.

I wish to OBJECT to the inclusion of Site GT11 (Land adjacent to Budbrooke Lodge, Warwick Racecourse and Hampton Road).

I intend to submit further details of my objection, with grounds, in due course.

I reserve my position on the remaining sites at this stage.

More generally, I would further comment that whilst 8 (40%) of the 20 listed sites are in the south west of the District, and 16 (80%) in the south, it is important that both sites and pitch quotas finally chosen for implementation reflect a much more equitable spatial distribution, even if this means making exceptions within the Green Belt.


Finally, please note that with regard to the sites adjacent to A46,
GT17 and GT18 - Southbound is East, and Northbound is West, but these are transposed in your documentation, which is confusing.

I would like to lodge my objection to your proposed location of Travellers and Gypsy sites in the South West of Warwick.
I have noticed that there is no proposed public meeting in this area to allow local residents to discuss these plans with youselves. Please advise if there is any plan to hold a meeting

I am writing having read the proposals regarding the location of future sites for gypsies and travellers, as stated in the WDC New Local Plan.

Whilst I fully appreciate the challenges facing WDC to provide adequate sites for gypsies and travellers, As a resident of Chase Meadow, I am writing to lodge an objection to the 4 sites (ref GT11, GT17, GT18 and GT20) and in particular site ref GT11 directly opposite the entrance to the Chase Meadow Estate.

I will expand further upon my objections at a later date as I am undertaking further research on this matter. However the time frame you have stated does not leave myself or local residents much time to correspond with you regarding the location of proposed traveller sites.

Here is a summary of my main objections.
* Expansion and Infrastructure. With the current expansion of the estate, there is already a great strain on resources serving Chase Meadow, specifically on roads, safety and education. The addition of a traveller site on the edge of the estate will only compound this further. I am undertaking further research on this matter regarding the strain on infrastructure.

* Education. The local primary school, Newburgh is completely full and I am aware from Council estimates that there are more projected births than places at our the school for the next three years. My daughter attends Newburgh and I have a very real concern on the already strained resources of the school. Newburgh has a variety of challenges with the children in its care and I think Mr Smith and his team do a terrific job. Placing the additional burden on him is unfair when there is clearly no room for all local children in the next few years.

* Location (1). Site 11 is the only site within 'close proximity to a residential area - one which local residents are striving hard to develop into a cohesive community. One of the stated aims of the 'Planning Policy for Travellers Sites' is to reduce tensions between settled and traveller communities in plan-making and planning decisions. With that in mind, what is the advantage in choosing a site located so close to an existing settled community? Other sites listed in your proposal are not located so close to an existing settled community.

* Location (2). Additionally from the 'Planning Policy for Travellers Sites' is the aim to "for local planning authorities to have due regard to the protection of local amenity and local environment. Settlement of site 11 on land partly owned by a historical trust and adjoining the racecourse, a major tourist attraction for Warwick. The racecourse and historical aspect of Warwick both are fundamental to the appeal of the town and surrounding area. Choosing to build on land owned or adjoining to land owned by the Henry V111 Trust, as opposed to other sites, feels morally and ethically wrong in light of the stated aim to protect the local amenity and environment. Warwick is a town visited by people from all over the world because of its historical associations and attractions - they should be the first locations to be saved from any developments, regardless of them being traveller sites. With regards our local amenity, the local public use St Marys fields and the land within the racecourse for recreational purposes all year round. The position of a traveller site adjacent to the racecourse will be detrimental to the appearance of the amenity.

* Approach. Further to the above, building a traveller site along a key approach into Warwick will have a visual impact for tourists visiting Warwick, on visitors attending the racecourse, even on TV viewers watching racing from Warwick (the location would be directly on the approach to the home straight). Is this the first impression WDC wants visitors to take from Warwick?

* Community Anxiety. With issues of this nature, we have to be very careful to focus on factual information and not let our emotions rule our head. As previously mentioned, one of your aims is to reduce tensions between settled and traveller communities in plan-making and planning decisions. I have seen an enormous response from local people and from local businesses on Chase Meadow and beyond, who are all very concerned about noise, litter, traffic, potential crime, impact on local services and amenities. Some of these elements are clearly not quantifiable and cannot be supported with any other evidence than perception or personal experience. I acknowledge the tough job you have on your hands because you have to identify sites that meet the required criteria and aims. However, the anxiety that you have now created with your list of proposed sites, is very evident and very real. It exists within a large number of residents and stakeholders on Chase Meadow and the Forbes Estate and the choice of site 11 to develop will only amplify those anxieties and tensions further. I would therefore request that site 11 in particular is not considered, as there are other sites on your proposed list which are still served by the facilities you need to provide but, are less residential.

Final point, can I ask that WDC consider holding a public meeting for local residents in Warwick to speak to you about your plans? All of the meetings are scheduled away from our community yet, we warrant a meeting for local residents and stakeholders to listen to your plans.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

I am writing to formally object to the proposed permanent Gypsy Site on Warwick Racecourse. As a resident of Chase Meadow I am concerned about the negative impact this will have on the area.

I wish to register our objections to the proposed traveller sites in South Warwickshire

It has come to our attention that there are proposed sites in our vicinity which are being planned without any public meeting or forum for discussion. This is a matter that impacts on the local communities in many ways. It is felt most strongly that we should have a right to know exactly who will be affected by any development before the deadline in July. The exhibitions at Norton Lindsey and Hampton Magna are not an opportunity for such a discussion. We need details and factual information about the size, location and type of sites and what factors have been taken into consideration in their selection.

Under the spirit of 'open government' and local democracy in action, we request that an urgent public meeting is convened where both planners and residents can have a free and fair discussion before any decisions are finalised. Our elected representatives have a duty to listen to their electorate as much as they have an obligation to carry out Westminster directives.



Our areas of concern include the environmental impact/waste management, the devaluation of nearby properties, the overall management of the site, the visual impact on Warwick town as a tourist centre.

I cycle along the Hampton Road to & from Warwick during business hours.
I find the road diffciult due to the amount of traffic.

If a travellers site is erected beside the Hampton Road, there will be traveller's medium to large goods vehicles coming & going from the site onto the Hampton Road.

A travellers site at this site this would make cycling on the Hampton Road cycling.

I am submitting my opposition to the proposal for Traveller Sites in the Chase Meadow, Warwick area.

I would like to take this opportunity to register my strong opposition to the traveller sites that have been proposed in south west Warwickshire.

I have been a resident of Warwickshire for the past 12 years, residing in Leamington, Kenilworth and now Warwick.

I believe that the Warwick District Council have agreed to a meeting and I think this is critical in order to share information, views and concerns both ways between the residents of Chase Meadow and the council.

The basis for my objection is based on the factors which I will outline below.

- School Places;
It is my understanding that the children from traveller communities will be given a higher priority with regards to the allocation of school places and this is a concern that the schools in the proposed areas would be unable to cope with any potential increase.
This is two-fold. Firstly, with the projected school intakes for 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 based on the birth rates in the area and secondly, taking into account the large extensions to family estates such as Chase Meadow where it is not possible to estimate the additional places required.

- GP Access;
Living on Chase Meadow, I know how difficult and stretched the GP Surgery (The New Dispensary) is and my concern is that this surgery can not cope with the number of additional patients that the proposed sites may house.

- Infrastructure;
Chase Meadow is largely unadopted by the council and it already suffers with issues surrounding speeding on the estate and leading to and from the estate. One of the proposed sites (plot 11) is located on the border between a 30mph and 60mph limits. My concern is the additional traffic flowing through the chase meadow estate and the need to police the speed limits on the unadopted roads.
Hampton Road is a fast road and the concern of an additional turning so close to an existing turning on this type of road is a risk to the residents safety.

- Aesthetics of the Warwickshire countryside.
Warwick is such a beautiful and historic town for which tourists travel to visit annually. Having seen a number of traveller sites over recent years and months, the risk to the tourism economy for Warwick has to be taken seriously.
The proposed Hampton Road and Junc 15 sites are key routes into Warwick and should be preserved.
Also, the Hampton Road site is located next to the Flat Straight for Warwick Race Course and will be visible to those attending the races.


I would like to thank you for taking to the time to read and file my objection to these proposed traveller sites and look forward to the opportunity to meet with you at the forthcoming meeting

Hello my name is Luke Phillips and I live on the Chase Meadow estate in Warwick.

I am not originally from the area and I choose carefully when re locating here.
The house prices where a stretch for me and my then girl friend but we decided this is where we wanted to settle and start our family.

We have always enjoyed living in Warwick and always made the most of the area.

I understand there is a travellers settlement proposal in place and if I am completely honest I am deeply upset by the proposal.

I am a very honest and respectful person and over the years I have had dealings with the travelling community which unfortunately have always ended in under hand activities and a lack of complete respect for the business and staff within it?

Since moving to the estate there has been occasions where travellers have settled on the surrounding area. On these occasions we have found children in our back garden playing on our kids swings and seesaw and items being stolen also from our garden and my wife's car as she unfortunately left it unlocked.

I am also concerned about the massive impact this would have on the value of our house.
I think it is worth being completely truthful, a travelling community so close to chase meadow would have a massive impact on the house prices and should I wish to move due to the settlement it would really make it hard to sell our property

We have worked hard to make a real home for our family and spent lots of time and money making our house a home. We did not plan on ever moving house again but this is something that I'm afraid may motivate us.

My 5 year old goes to school in budbrook and we planned on sending our 2 year old to school there also. I can not tell you the heart ache and upset this would cause my whole family if we had to change her school also.

I if have any further questions for me please feel free to contact me.

We are residents of Chase Meadow Estate and would hereby like to formally raise our objections to the four proposed gypsey/traveller sites being possibly situated near this estate.

I am opposing the proposal for a gypsy and travellers site on the Hampton site in warwick.

As a long term resident of the Chase Meadow development in Warwick, I wish to raise an objection to the proposed potential siting of a travellers site off the Hampton Road almost directly opposite the entrance to the private residential estate.

Whilst I fully appreciate the need for the council to offer suitable sites for travellers, I object to this potential site due to the following reasons:

* Schools - I'm sure you will agree that we all want to offer our children the best educational opportunities. With an already rapidly expanding community, school places and the time spent educating each child will face a challenging few years. With added pressure from a potential travellers site, I fear that overall educational standards in the Warwickshire region would slip considerably.
* Doctors Surgery - it is almost impossible to gain quick access to a doctor at the local surgery as things stand at present. With the addition of the new houses currently being built by Taylor Wimpey (including the next phases already planned) and then adding a travellers site in to the mix, it would make things untenable and unviable with the current infrastructure available.
* Traffic - with the proposed location opposite Chase Meadow, the private residential estate will undoubtedly become a "cut through" for traffic wanting to reach the Stratford Road and Motorway junctions quickly. With a largely family based community living in Chase Meadows this has to be a major concern for the safety on our roads. With added traffic volumes already inevitable due to the new construction of houses on the estate, this would surely only compound issues even further.
* House Prices - Due to the close proximity of the proposed site to privately owned homes, property prices would undoubtedly take a knock based on historical information associated with other travellers site locations. With most homes having saved and struggled to achieve what they are currently have, this would be totally unfair and unnecessary when other more suitable locations are already available.

I also believe that by perception alone, the location of a travellers site so close to Warwick town centre would have a detrimental effect on our beautiful market town from both a business and residential point of view. I think this would be a great pity with the town having managed to keep its head above water for so long and having survived a few very difficult years since the economic crash in 2008.

In general terms, I feel the proposed site is just too close to the existing established communities of both Chase Meadow and Shakespeare Avenue and believe that this could lead to a very volatile and unsettled environment in which to bring up our families. Having seen the proposed list of all potential sites, I feel there are a number that offer a much better overall balance for all parties involved including the travellers themselves.

All comments above are made with good intentions and without any intended prejudice.

I would appreciate your further thoughts or comments.

I have copied this e mail to a number of people to stress the strength and depth of my objection

I am writing to you to register my opposition to the proposed location of traveller sites in South Warwickshire, especially the ones located near to Chase Meadow, Warwick.

At present International tourists travelling from both Heathrow and Birmingham airports looking forward visiting Historic Warwick are treated to a beautiful view of the castle and the town as they approach on the A46 . A view of a Caravan travelers site is not in keeping with the image vital to the growth of international tourism in the area.

This location is part of Warwick Racecourse, and forms a green wedge into Warwick. To the south of Hampton Road and north of the railway Warwick reaches the A46 Bypass but here it does not. Development of this wedge, by a gypsy site or any other development, would undermine the character of the setting of Warwick.

I object to the proposal for a gypsy site on the land at Budbrooke lodge, racecourse and Hampton road due to the increased amount of traffic to local road networks. The proposed site is close to a residential area which could cause noise and disturbance; and friction/conflict. There will be a strain on existing infrastructure including gp surgeries, schools and public transport. There could be a adverse effect on the town of Warwick which has important historic relevance.

Dangerous location due to busy main road. Many children around in view of local schools either on foot or cycling. People would not integrate with the local community.
This site would appear to be ideal to add houses to relieving pressure to build on surrounding villages and more particularly to build green belt.

The site is close to existing residential areas (Chase Meadow development) leading to potential for noise and other nuisance, and not meeting the need to promote peaceful and integrated co-existence with the local community.
It would be clearly visible from Hampton Road (A4189) and also the Warwick Racecourse and town centre giving a poor image of the area to visitors to Warwick and passing traffic, and spoiling what is at present a pleasant greenfield area. Part of the Racecourse would be absorbed by the site leading to a loss of facilities for racing.

Using this site will increase traffic on already busy roads. It will have a detrimental impact on the race course, one of Warwick's main attractions and create a negative visual on one of the main routes into the town.

I object to the GT11 land being considered for a Gypsy and Traveller site for the following reasons:
* The local facilities such as the surgery are already struggling to cope with demand, which will only get worse with the new housing development currently taking place
* Warwick is a major tourist attraction for the county and the proposed changes could have a serious and detrimental impact on people's perception of the town
* I have lived next to a traveller's site before and whilst I don't wish to tarnish everyone with the same brush most of the petty crime could be traced back to the travellers
* There is no guarantee that if these plans proceed then people will not panic and put their houses up for sale. If enough people do this then house prices will fall, attracting people who previously could not afford to live on the estate. Whilst I have no issues with this in theory in practice this could result in the area deteriorating and it seems a shame that such a nice estate as Chase Meadow could be at future risk of becoming undesirable

This site has potential visual impact on the approach to historic Warwick and has access onto an already over busy main road following the recent development of Chase Meadow.

I wish to register my objection to the New Local Plan (2013) of Warwick District Council and in particular the proposal to place a Gypsy and Traveller Site at GT11 Land at Budbrooke Lodge, Racecourse and Hampton Road.
I have read the planning document and realise that it is necessary to offer a site for Gypsies and Travellers that is accessible and gives good access to local services. However, the local services are already stretched in the area with primary and secondary schools full. Access to a GP is already difficult as evidenced by the lengthy times taken to get an appointment with a doctor or nurse at the nearby New Dispensary Doctors Practice. Emergency appointments are usually available at present but these would be under increased demand if a transient population is nearby (transient populations are less likely to engage with preventative medicine which requires a relationship with a medical professional), giving further difficulty for routine and preventative care. The planning document emphasizes that it is essential that a new site for Gypsies and Travellers is not liable to flooding. The proposed GT11 site is known amongst local residents to be prone to regular flooding, though it is possible that this is not recorded in local flooding plots as the area does not currently have any important use. I realise that flooding can be avoided with work to waterways but that would be an unnecessary expense if the GT11 were not used. Further any work to prevent flooding will only move the problem to other locations.
Another difficulty I have with the proposal is due to the inevitable increase in traffic. I live on Purser Drive which is already a major thoroughfare for the estate. Most of the traffic along Purser Drive is local, mainly made up of private cars and small deliveries. The only larger vehicles regularly passing are for deliveries to the shops on the estate as building traffic is routed through the parts of the estate yet to be completed. When larger vehicles passes our house we can feel the vibrations in the building. A proposed Gypsy and Traveller site at GT11 would increase traffic passing our house and would often be comprised of larger vehicles including larger 4x4 cars and vans towing caravans and the larger vehicles suitable for towing.
All of the above are reasons why the proposal for a Gypsy and Traveller Site at GT11 would make life for me and my family and other residents of Chase Meadow Estate less pleasant.

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