1) Land to the east of Church Lane

I do think that that Radford Semele does need extra dwellings on the East side going towards Southam. These could be split on both sides of the road, thereby providing some "balance".
I would have no objection providing it was done appropriately and sensibly. I also understand that the main highway might need some improvements or traffic calming measures to the bend, perhaps a roundabout and or pedestrian crossing for the school children if additional building were to happen in this area.

I feel that it would be preferable to spread the new required housing in Radford Semele across some of the "Discounted Sites" marked in blue on the map, rather than having them all in one chunk, marked in yellow.

I feel that if the housing need were spread across several sites, currently discounted sites the impact of 100 homes would be far less dramatic.

I am shocked to have been informed by one of my neighbors that there is a proposal to develop the land in Radford Semele between Offchurch Land and the parish church.

The land was not mentioned in the local plan created in June this year, with extensive local consultation, but now appears to be a "preferred" location. How can this possibly happen when the local plan was only agreed a few months ago? I am very worried that this has also happened with no proper consultation process being followed which cannot be right.

I only moved to the village myself in August, and it has been my intention to write to the local planning authorities regarding the volume and speed of traffic already passing through the village, both along Offchurch Lane and Southam Road. Every morning I walk three primary school children to the local school, crossing Southam Road opposite the proposed development and have been surprised by the amount of traffic here: the addition of the proposed 100-150 houses in this part of the village would quite frankly be dangerous and put our children at risk. Please remember the primary school is the other side of the main road which is exceptionally busy during the twice daily school run and rush hour periods. I would suggest a thorough traffic survey during school term would be the minimal requirement to start a consultation process for any proposed new development site like this.

In consideration of the school, I have been advised that years R through 5 are all at maximum capacity already, with more places being applied for each year than are available. Also I believe there are drainage issues that makes any consideration toward expansion of the school facility prohibitively expensive.

In addition, although Radford Semele is close to Leamington Spa, the open nature of the farmed land around the church gives it a very rural feel, and this village character would clearly be destroyed by placing a modern development of this scale so close to the church, which has only recently been restored. I am also aware of pre-existing drainage issues with the Offchurch Lane field and would be concerned about the increased risk of flooding so close to the church. I would question whether the proposed pond would even come close to alleviating this risk.

It is my understanding that an area to the east of the village had previously been considered the optimal location in Radford Semele to provide the additional housing required in the area, along with a site on the Fosse Way. This was agreed to and supported by our local councilor and is obviously a much safer solution since a large proportion of the additional traffic introduced to the village would turn away from the village towards the Fosse Way (enabling easy access to Coventry, Gaydon and the motorway network) without driving past children on their way to or from school.

A properly thought out access junction to this eastern site could also have the desired effect of slowing traffic down on the way into the village, making the junctions of Lewis Road, Hallfields, Offchurch Lane and School Lane/Church Lane all much safer.

Ms Darke, we all live in the real world and I believe the village community fully understand and support the need for additional housing in Radford Semele. We are, however, all very worried about the negative impact that the wrong development site could have.

I trust we can count on your support to help us achieve the required houses without spoiling the nature of the village, without pandering to the profit motives of an aggressive developer, and most importantly, without putting the lives of primary aged school children at increased risk.

Thank you for taking the time to read this email.

This appears to be the most suitable site for this development. Site 4 (south west of the village) would have a huge impact on the traffic on school lane. School lane is already very congested especially during school times and any future increase in traffic could prove very dangerous for school children.

I object to this proposal for the following reasons:
This site cannot be accessed safely by cars. Even with road alterations, there will be dangers to pedestrians accessing the school as well as complete congestion along Offchurch lane.
Nicola costa
34 Offchurch lane
Radford semele
Leamington spa
Cv311tn
01926 330019
A better site would be beyond the village.

I am writing to express my objections to the planned development in Radford Semele, Site 1 East of Church Lane.

Kevin Oliver
13 Chance Fields
Radford Semele
Leamington Spa
CV31 1TR

I do not believe much thought has been put into this proposed site for a development in the village, If it goes ahead it will:-

1) Severely add to the traffic congestion experienced on week day mornings and evening, from school runs and people commuting to work. Increasing pollution and potential road hazards. Hazards include the difficult junction at Offchurch Lane and Southam Road. Also the narrow hump backed bridge on Offchurch Lane and increased traffic flow along a road that is already hazardous to walk down as there is no footpath between the end of the houses and the bridge.

2) Spoil the character of the village, destroying the picturesque view of the country side and Grade 2 listed church which is at the centre of village life.

This proposed site had not previously been put forward in any consultations that I had seen or heard about. So I also question why it is being considered now?

David Helliwell
9 Chance Fields, Radford Semele, CV31 1TR
07764377485

Reference Radford Semele
Site 1 - East of Church Lane

I object to the choice proposed development site.

Leamington Spa is a beautiful town and the views of the Village of Radford Semele as you enter and exit Leamington from the South are heart-warming and beautiful. This development will have a serious negative effect on the character of the area. This development will have a negative effect on the rural landscape

Several sites have been reviewed, it is my opinion that this choice will have the greatest negative impact on most people. Without argument, this will deteriorate the daily view for all visitors to Leamington entering from the South (via the Southam Road). There are other proposals that are off main roads, effectively extending existing housing estates that would not have such a detrimental impact.

The preferred option site is to the south of the Grand Union Canal. Proposed development in this location should not adversely affect the integrity of the waterway structure, quality of the water, result in unauthorised discharges and run off or encroachment; detrimentally affect the landscape, heritage, ecological quality and character of the waterways; prevent the waterways potential for being fully unlocked or discourage the use of the waterway network.

There are canal structures, weirs, culverts, sluices, in proximity to the development site used in the operation of the canal and the presence of a cutting and embankment. Development should not affect these structures.

The waterways can be used as tools in place making and place shaping, and contribute to the creation of sustainable communities. Canal & River Trust would seek for any development to relate appropriately to the waterway and optimise the benefits such a location can generate for all parts of the community.

The proposed development requires traffic access on a congested and busy road area. Current new site access assumes modifications to Church Lane, a dog leg left turn driving west on Southam Road and opposed with School lane
This junction is already severely affected at peak times by traffic numbers to and from School, nursery, dwellings and traffic coming on stream from Offchurch Lane

Ref: Comment on Warwick District Council Local Plan, Village Housing Options and Settlement Boundaries Consultation. Site 1 - East of Church Lane, Radford Semele.

I wish to make the strongest possible objection to this development which will destroy the character of the area surrounding our medieval village church, have an irrevocable impact on the rural landscape and create inappropriate noise and disturbance.

The proposed site entrance will add a fourth access road less than 150 metres apart onto the A425. The A425 through the village is already highly congested during morning and evening rush hours making access from Offchurch Lane and School Lane slow and difficult. The additional traffic created by this site will have a significant impact on public safety, pollution levels and noise for those of us who live adjacent to the main road.

Sites 2 and 3 - North and South of Southam Road, would have little or no impact on the village setting and traffic congestion and allow for inevitable future growth. Site 1 - East of Church Lane has zero potential for future development.

I wish to register my objection to WDC's preferred option within Radford Semele for the following reasons:
1.There is little or no
evidence to substantiate WDC's decision making in determining their preferred site compared to the 3 alternative sites.
2.There has
been totally inadequate notice served on local residents to allow time for full assessment and

discussion.
3Building on this land can
only exacerbate the flood risks around this area.Indeed at time of writing the river Leam is in full flood.
4.The local school
capacity is fully taken up and a development of this magnetude will double the existng requirement.
5.Traffic congestion between
Lewis Rd and School Lane is already extremely high at peak times and accidents {there was one on7.1.2014 }will increase as a result of further development.
6.Views of the church{a listed building}will be compromised.
I trust the above concerns will be given due consideration and result in an alternative decision.

Support for site 1. This will need careful consideration to vehicle access. Proposed additional access adjacent Church End will not be accepted.
Access should be via Church End, the junction at School Lane, Church End. Radford Road should be made traffic lights or road island.

see attached

I am writing to oppose planned building in front of the parish church in Radford Semele.
Our villages should be preserved not handed over to big developers for fat profits.

Comment on Warwick District Council Local Plan, Village Housing Options and Settlement Boundaries Consultation, regarding Radford Semele, Site 1 - East of Church Lane.

I am writing to object in the strongest possible terms to the proposed plan to build a high density housing estate on the above site.

This was not the preferred option of the Parish Council. Indeed this site is not suitable for such a high density development because of the major traffic management problems it would create for the village as a whole both in construction and when completed. The infrastructure changes would be huge. It is the single worst site for such a development. I also have concerns about water drainage and sewer pipe blockages which I have experienced in the past and which would be exacerbated by further housing development.

Furthermore, to develop this site of such natural beauty around St Nicholas Church, a medieval Grade II listed building would be to destroy the very essence of the village forever. A very considerable and varied amount of wildlife would also disappear.

The most suitable sites would be sites 2 & 3 (On Plan) South east of the village off Southam Road. This would entail minimum infrastructure changes in the control of traffic through the village on the Southam Road and there would be easy access to both sites. The 30mph speed signs merely need to be extended. Visual impact coming in and out of the village would also be minimised.

Further thought should be given to this plan by the Council into the considerable and possibly hazardous problems development of this site would create.

Comment on Warwick District Council Local Plan, Village Housing Options and Settlement Boundaries Consultation, regarding Radford Semele, Site 1 - East of Church Lane.

I am writing to object in the strongest possible terms to the proposed plan to build a high density housing estate on the above site.

This was not the preferred option of the Parish Council. Indeed this site is not suitable for such a high density development because of the major traffic management problems it would create for the village as a whole both in construction and when completed. The infrastructure changes would be huge. It is the single worst site for such a development. I also have concerns about water drainage and sewer pipe blockages which I have experienced in the past and which would be exacerbated by further housing development.

Furthermore, to develop this site of such natural beauty around St Nicholas Church, a medieval Grade II listed building would be to destroy the very essence of the village forever. A very considerable and varied amount of wildlife would also disappear.

The most suitable sites would be sites 2 & 3 (On Plan) South east of the village off Southam Road. This would entail minimum infrastructure changes in the control of traffic through the village on the Southam Road and there would be easy access to both sites. The 30mph speed signs merely need to be extended. Visual impact coming in and out of the village would also be minimised.

Further thought should be given to this plan by the Council into the considerable and possibly hazardous problems development of this site would create.

This site is highly unsuitable as it is in the setting of our listed church, listed pub, it is the centre of our green village core and will fundamentally change the character of our rural village into little more than a builtup suburb of leamington.
I don't believe that it will be safe to increase the traffic with the number of cars 100+ houses will generate when they must pull out onto the busy A425, close to Offchurch Lane and opposite the busy pub. There was a serious accident just last week here which proves this point.
There are better sites to the east that wont have the same impact.
I want to ask how and why this site has suddenly appeared as the preferred option when it wasnt even mentioned before - is it because the owner is a member of the parish council?

I would like to express my objections to the proposed housing development on the Church Fields site in Radford Semele.

The Church is a listed building - we have waited years for it to be restored after the fire and to build new houses on the land surrounding it will be an eyesore and ruin the views of a listed building.

All developments in this area in the past have been concealed so that the Council meets its requirements to protect the setting and country side seclusion of the listed building. By building new houses next to the Church this is in direct contradiction for the previous reasons for not building new developments.

Vehicular access into the proposed development will require the building of a new access road and as such it will cut across the setting of the listed building. It will also increase congestion around an already busy road which acts as one of the main routes in and out of Leamington Spa.

The Church and surrounding countryside are an integral part of what makes our village special. if houses are built right next to it they will damage the aesthetics.

Finally, the owners of the houses along Offchurch Road will inevitably have their house values significantly decreased due to the views changing from countryside and a church to the unsightly view of a new housing development.

I really hope that the Council see sense and decide to withdraw these plans and if we MUST have a new housing development a more suitable site is selected.

see attached

The purpose of this email is to inform you that I object most strongly to your choice of site number 1 on the Radford Semele new
local plan as the "preferred option" for a 100+housing development.

My principal objection is based on the traffic access to and from the site. The only access would have to be more or less opposite
the bottom end of School Lane on the Southam Road. This area is between the 'blind bend' and junction with Offchurch Lane and
the brow of the hill in Southam Road and the junction with Kingshurst. This is a busy and potentially dangerous piece of road at
the best of times often with children having to cross Southam Road at this point. An additional junction with additional traffic
would only make this main road through the village MORE HAZARDOUS.

Site 2 on the plan offers a much better and safer access opportunity with an easy extension to the 30MPH zone.

My second but also important objection is that a housing development on site 1 with associated access roads would seriously
detract from the visual aspect of Saint Nicholas Church and the village.

1. Building on the proposed site would spoil the views from Southam Road.
2. Add to the existing traffic problems in that area.

traffic issues, visual impact, heritage depletion

I am aghast that this has been proposed against the strong objections of the Parish Council and the voice of a large number of local residents. Neither the Parish nor these locals are generally against Radford taking new homes, but they do violently object to the choice of the most sensitive site in the village against their wishes that flies in the face of both localism and all common sense.
This field is the historic defining core that makes this village a real village and not a dormitory area on the edge of Leamington - to fill this in would completely destroy this setting and do exactly that turning into a faceless suburb.
The consultation plan is also misleading, as it shows an access onto Church Lane, but the developer, Gladman Homes, is showing an access coming out right opposite the pub, where there are many junctions and conflicts not to mention hatched white lines and a pedestrian crossing, and which is also the site of many recent serious traffic accidents - how can 100's more cars coming out at this spot help that? This pub is a beautiful listed feature of our village core, that looks out over this field, the medieval setting of the listed St Nicholas Church. What is proposed is will alter that view around the whole historic village core into one of a tarmac highway lined with streetlights and leading to a mass estate of 100+ homes, obliterating the setting of both the pub and the church and totally destroying the village core and character. This is totally unnecessary when so many much less sensitive sites on the edge of the village, some of which the village actually support, have been ruled out without good reason.
Please reconsider this allocation and pick the least sensitive site, not the most sensitive one, and leave us our village character intact.

The junction of Offchurch Lane and Southam Road is already a bottleneck and dangerous, there was an accident on Monday 6th January which resulted in severe injury to a motorcyclist.
Traffic passing through Radford Semele on the A425 towards Leamington is usually above the speed limit of 30mph. The proposed entrance as indicated on a leaflet sent to residents by Gladman is obscured by the bend in the road. I believe this has the potential for more accidents in the future.

I am responding to page 56, table 57. I recommend site no's 2 & 3 as a alternative to this proposal. I believe this is a solution that creates resolve without causing damage to existing history and buildings. As alternatives are available and previous proposals have been rejected, I see no reason why the proposal of building housing next to the church should be approved. Development has to happen but not as the detriment of multiple factors such as Identify, Setting, Safety, Environment and Community.

see attached

see attached

see attached

I would like to raise my objections to the proposed Gladman development in Radford Semele, east of Church Lane.
If it goes ahead it will irrecoverably change the character of the area for the worse, destroying the open green field views from the Southam Road, Church Lane and School Lane. These vistas define Radford Semele and stop it becoming yet another piece of urban sprawl.
A development on this site will have a big negative impact on the rural nature of the village and would also exacerbate the already difficult traffic flow exiting from Offchurch Lane onto the Southam Road.
Gladman's outline scheme does not have any detail regarding the proposed road layout but its proximity to the Offchurch Lane junction and the blind bend opposite will present a major problem and possible danger spot. There has been a serious accident at this junction as recently as 6 January.
I am not against development in Radford Semele per se but would favour development on site options 2 and 3 in the Site Assessment Plan. If the 30mph limit were to be extended down the Southam Road these sites could offer a safer traffic solution without compromising the rural aspect at the heart of the village.
I hope these views and issues will be taken into account.

see attached