GT12 Land north of Westham Lane, Barford (green)

I write to register my opposition to your proposals for gypsy and travellers sites GT12 and GTalt12 at Barford.
You say in your consultation document at para 2.7 that these sites are to be regarded as akin to conventional housing. Any rational examination of the sites would lead one to say that a planning application for housing on these sites would not be granted.
The A429 is an important route. The views from the road are important and I understood that modern planning considerations prevented developments sprawling beyond recognised boundaries.
Your new local plan uses the A429 as a boundary for Barford to justify "in filling" between the village and the bypass. Your proposals for the two sites at Barford would be an extension to that, providing for development on both sides of the road. The development would use important agricultural land, and would provide development in an area where any development would be a detriment.
In your new Local Plan, you have suggested a large area to the south of Warwick/Leamington Spa for development. If you cannot plan to integrate Gypsy and Travellers sites with a completely clear sheet of paper within that area, you cannot expect to be able to integrate by imposition. I think it would be much better to provide sites within the large areas you have already earmarked for development.

Please accept the following as comment on the current Gypsy and Traveller Consultation.

Site GT 12 North of Westham Lane, Barford.

As a general point I remain staggered that this site is still on a shortlist of all possible sites in the district and it undermines my faith in WDCs ability to evaluate options against their own stated criteria.

1 - Proximity to GP surgery etc: There is no GP in Barford. The school and scarce public transport is accessible only by crossing an extremely dangerous road. This is a sweeping bend on a fast bit of road as recent accident statistics will prove. I am not at all happy crossing it with my kids.
2 - Safe access to road network. As above, this is not a safe stretch of road. We nearly get rear ended pretty much every time we turn into the village from the north. It is a fast and sweeping bend.
3 - Noise and other disturbance. This is a busy trunk road. It will be noisy for the travellers
4- Sites which can be integrated into the landscape.: This is the real big issue here. Land to the west of the A429 is obviously and distinctly open coutryside. It represents an iconic bit of of the River Avon valley on a distinct meander contained to the west by a steep scarp. The traveller site here would be completely out of character and would intrude in open views to the west. Moreover, the proposed site being elongated and spread along the roadside appears to be designed to maximise visual intrusion. Its influence will be accentuated by its proposed form so that it will appear from the road as prominent as the village itself.

The site is prominent due to its open countryside setting, it is prominent because of its insensitive design and it is prominent in that it is next to a busy road seen by thousands of people every day. The utilitarian traveller site would become the face of Barford. WDC would have little or no control over the viability or performance of any landscape mitigation once it has been implemented since you are simply walking away once consent is granted.
I will not be swayed by arguments that mitigation planting will alleviate this harm. Traveller sites are what they are. They tend to be utilitarian in character with few aesthetic merits (and why should they?). This is simply a case of the wrong site.

Site GT12a Barford Community Meadow

The same points apply as for GT 12 with the added insult that a huge amount of community thought care and work has gone in to this site to make it available to the community. The fact that this is still being put forward as a possible site speaks volumes about the WDC's attitudes to existing communities. Truly, this makes me despair.

General Points...for what they are worth.

I believe that WDC is failing in its duties by not considering incorporating these new gypsy and traveller sites into the new planned communities that are coming forward. It depresses me to think that this proactive approach is not being pursued because of the unhealthy influence the major house builders and developers have over our council leaders. Instead you are seeking to somehow lose this unpopular requirement in the rural community.

I believe WDC is failing in its duties by not challenging the function and performance of the greenbelt north of Warwick and Leamington (a 1950s designation with the main aim of preventing Birmingham and Coventry from merging. Its function and performance can and should be reviewed in this District). Instead you are blindly piling development pressure including the gypsy and traveller sites on our rural communities in the south of the District. In the south we feel embattled and that our interests are not represented by our Council leaders. It makes me sad and angry in equal measure.

I am writing to register our objections and give our views on the suitability of the following Gypsy and Traveller Preferred Options Consultation.

GT12/GTalt12 - Land at north and west of Westham Lane
* Warwick District Council (WDC) Criteria states that the site should have "convenient access to a GP surgery, school, and public transport" - The nearest GP Surgery is nearly 5 miles away by road in Bishops Tachbrook and there is not an easy access from Barford.
* WDC Criteria states that the site should "avoid areas with a high risk of flooding" - This site sits within (part) and otherwise immediately adjacent to areas identified by the Environment Agency as having significant flood risk.
* WDC Criteria states that the site should have "Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site" - Vehicular access to this site is from the A429 trunk road (The Barford Bypass) which was constructed as a bypass to Barford. It is a 60 mph speed limit road and there have been a significant number of traffic accidents including a fatality. There is also inadequate pedestrian crossing facilities for safe access into the village. Access would be difficult and expensive whilst being very dangerous for both vehicle users and pedestrians
* WDC Criteria states that the site should "avoid areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance" - Noise levels from the By Pass and M40 roundabout can be heard through double glazing in the surrounding houses. The continuous noise from the Barford Bypass could not be reduced effectively or economically by constructing barriers.
* WDC Criteria states that the site should have "Provision of utilities (running water, toilet facilities, waste disposal, etc)" - There are no such services available in the area and the cost for supplying these for a small number of pitches would be considerable and therefore render the site uneconomical.
* WDC Criteria states that the site should be "Avoiding areas where there could be adverse impact on important features of the natural and historic environment" - The
proposed site is on the busy route between the historic town of Warwick and the Cotwolds, and the impact on the landscape and tourism of a Gypsy and Traveller site would be immense.

* WDC Criteria states that the "sites which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area. Site development will accord with national guidance on site design and facility provision" - The proposed site is green field and a satellite from Barford village, the development of this site could not take place without a material adverse effect on the landscape and could not be integrated without harming the visual amenity and character of the site.
* WDC Criteria states "Promotes peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community" - The A429 Barford Bypass isolates the site from the village and therefore presents a physical barrier to integration with the village.
* WDC Criteria states "Avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services" - This site does not fully meet with the provisions of Planning Policy for Gipsy & Traveller sites as it does not promote peaceful integrated co-existence between the proposed sites and the local community. It will also place undue pressure on the local infrastructure and services. It would have a material negative impact on the capacity of Barford St. Peter's School, especially given the village's status as a "Secondary Service Village" and its likely requirement to provide 70-90 new dwellings during the Plan period.
The Gypsy and Traveller community should be catered for and integrated into new, larger mixed development sites being proposed through the New Local Plan. Larger pitches would be more economical as opposed to smaller pitches which would drive down the pitch costs, gets economies of scale and has less impact on fewer communities and residents.

The following sites would seem eminently more suitable to a greater or lesser degree than the two proposed sites adjacent to Barford Bypass:

* Sites GT02- Land Abutting Fosse Way at Junction with A425 (part) already has an immediate access to popular route for Gypsies and Travellers.

* SiteGTalt03 Henley Road /Hampton Road - where the landowner is very keen to promote the site for the required purpose. The site is available and deliverable.

Warwick District Council should be requiring Gypsy and Traveller sites are delivered within the proposed major new housing developments. This would ensure that the sites could be properly designed in a sustainable fashion and be fully integrated into a local community which will provide facilities such as a school, doctors surgery and shops which are accessible on foot, on bike, by bus and by car.

Barford has very few facilities; it has a community shop, a small primary school and has not had a Doctors surgery
since the early seventies.

The A429 is an extremely busy and fast road and it is very difficult at times to exit Wasperton on to this road.
There have been several accidents between Wellesbourne and the M40 junction.

The gypsy and travellers on the proposed site, just off the Barford bypass, would find it very difficult to get out on to the road,
in a car, van, caravan etc. It would also be dangerous crossing the road for adults and children on foot trying to reach Barford.

Our community pay rates, abides by the law, and we look after our property.
If travellers did the same , then the community would accept them, but their history in the Warwick district and elsewhere
has not been good.

They are disruptive where ever they go and cost the Council,ie the ratepayers, a lot of money to evict them.
After they have gone it costs a lot more money to clean up, as the sites are left in such a disgraceful state.

We know that parts of some of these proposed sites are for permanent residents, but who will pay to clear their rubbish etc
when the tempory travellers have gone.

I wish to register my objection to Gypsy & Traveller site GT12 (land to the north of Westham Lane Barford) as a preferred option site.

The site is right next to the Barford by-pass (A429 between Wellesbourne and Longbridge), a road which is busy and getting busier. New homes being built in Wellesbourne cannot be ignored - the volume of traffic will only increase. Additionally traffic on the road is derestricted. Already a notorious accident area, access to the site would potentially be lethal to both pedestrians and drivers.

The council should also consider the distance of this site from established medical services. For example there is no doctor's surgery for almost 5 miles, and no easy means of getting there. This would be disadvantageous to any potential site occupant.

Please register my objection to site GT12 in accordance with your consultation process.

Gypsies and Travellers Preferred Options for Sites
Whilst I understand the need for these pitches, I object to Site GT12 Westham Lane as it does not comply with your own criteria on page 13 of the Preferred Options document where it states "the council has applied consistent criteria".

1. Access is not safe in any way. It is situated alongside the very busy A429 (Barford bypass) with a speed limit of 60 mph. Pedestrians and potential schoolchildren would have to cross this road to get access to the village. This road unfortunately has a history of too many serous accidents, some fatal.

2. Provision of utilities would be expensive, not cost effective
3. The physical aspect of this site would be extremely detrimental as it is situated on the main trunk road from historic Warwick to the Cotswolds, a very popular tourist route.
4. Integration into the landscape would be very difficult and the natural environment around the pretty River Avon would be destroyed.

A much more obvious choice would be GTalt01 Brookside Willows.
It is still located at the edge of Warwick with all its advantages but
1. Is screened form the Banbury Road
2. Has a good and safe access already built
3. Safe pedestrian access to town
4. Choice of good schools, surgeries and transport readily available
5. A pleasant environment and no issues with noise (either way).
6. It is a larger area and potentially could hold more pitches, making it more sense economically.

A longer term solution, surely, would be to provide larger G & T sites within the planning of new, larger mixed developments which will surely happen with the introduction of the Local Plan.
This makes sense both economically and from a planning point of view.

WDC Local Plan Gypsies & Travellers Preferred Options Consultation
I am writing to register my objections and give my views on the suitability of the following Gypsy and Traveller Preferred Options Consultation.

GT12/GTalt12 - Land at north and west of Westham Lane
* Warwick District Council (WDC) Criteria states that the site should have "convenient access to a GP surgery, school, and public transport" - The nearest GP Surgery is nearly 5 miles away by road in Bishops Tachbrook and there is not an easy access from Barford.
* WDC Criteria states that the site should "avoid areas with a high risk of flooding" - This site sits within (part) and otherwise immediately adjacent to areas identified by the Environment Agency as having significant flood risk.
* WDC Criteria states that the site should have "Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site" - Vehicular access to this site is from the A429 trunk road (The Barford Bypass) which was constructed as a bypass to Barford. It is a 60 mph speed limit road and there have been a significant number of traffic accidents including a fatality. There is also inadequate pedestrian crossing facilities for safe access into the village. Access would be difficult and expensive whilst being very dangerous for both vehicle users and pedestrians
* WDC Criteria states that the site should "avoid areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance" - Noise levels from the By Pass and M40 roundabout can be heard through double glazing in the surrounding houses. The continuous noise from the Barford Bypass could not be reduced effectively or economically by constructing barriers.
* WDC Criteria states that the site should have "Provision of utilities (running water, toilet facilities, waste disposal, etc)" - There are no such services available in the area and the cost for supplying these for a small number of pitches would be considerable and therefore render the site uneconomical.
* WDC Criteria states that the site should be "Avoiding areas where there could be adverse impact on important features of the natural and historic environment" - The
proposed site is on the busy route between the historic town of Warwick and the Cotswolds, and the impact on the landscape and tourism of a Gypsy and Traveller site would be immense.



WDC Local Plan Gypsies & Travellers Preferred Options Consultation - Cont/d
* WDC Criteria states that the "sites which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area. Site development will accord with national guidance on site design and facility provision" - The proposed site is green field and a satellite from Barford village, the development of this site could not take place without a material adverse effect on the landscape and could not be integrated without harming the visual amenity and character of the site.
* WDC Criteria states "Promotes peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community" - The A429 Barford Bypass isolates the site from the village and therefore presents a physical barrier to integration with the village.
* WDC Criteria states "Avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services" - This site does not fully meet with the provisions of Planning Policy for Gipsy & Traveller sites as it does not promote peaceful integrated co-existence between the proposed sites and the local community. It will also place undue pressure on the local infrastructure and services. It would have a material negative impact on the capacity of Barford St. Peter's School, especially given the village's status as a "Secondary Service Village" and its likely requirement to provide 70-90 new dwellings during the Plan period.
The Gypsy and Traveller community should be catered for and integrated into new, larger mixed development sites being proposed through the New Local Plan. Larger pitches would be more economical as opposed to smaller pitches which would drive down the pitch costs, gets economies of scale and has less impact on fewer communities and residents.

The following sites would seem eminently more suitable to a greater or lesser degree than the two proposed sites adjacent to Barford Bypass:

Sites GT02- Land Abutting Fosse Way at Junction with A425 (part) already has an immediate access to popular route for Gypsies and Travellers.

SiteGTalt03 Henley Road /Hampton Road - where the landowner is very keen to promote the site for the required purpose. The site is available and deliverable.

Warwick District Council should be requiring Gypsy and Traveller sites are delivered within the proposed major new housing developments. This would ensure that the sites could be properly designed in a sustainable fashion and be fully integrated into a local community which will provide facilities such as a school, doctor's surgery and shops which are accessible on foot, on bike, by bus and by car.

New Local Plan - Permanent Gypsy site selection
GT12 / GTalt 12

As a local resident in Wasperton we wish to object to the possible choice of this site on the basis of safety, lack of local facilities and loss of valuable farming land.

1. The main road past the site is the major route to the Cotswolds. The site is on a long sweeping bend where most traffic travels above the legal speed limit of 60mph, even past the second Barford turning. This stretch of road is highly tempting to impetuous drivers who often overtake slower vehicles travelling at 50pmh. The only safe solution will be to build it as a dual carriageway.
2. The possible solution could be to put up traffic lights or a large pull-off stretch but then the Traveller will be faced with towing a long vehicle across the heavy stream of traffic with all the inherent dangers.
3. Travellers wishing to visit Barford, say to take children to school, will have to cross this major road with all the dangers of attempting to slow the traffic.
4. Vehicles and trailers exiting GT12 turning either right or left will face the danger of being rammed unless lights are installed.
5. Personally speaking we have been involved with three similar incidents when turning into Wasperton with drivers overtaking double lines to gain additional road space. Sight lines will be similarly restricted opposite the suggested GT12 site.
6. This site will require efficient drainage and a soak-away which will also require regular servicing. Can we trust the travelling community to commission this work or will seepage occur into the River Avon which is very close by?

7. The local plan suggests that there is a Doctors surgery in Barford. This is not correct, the nearest we believe is in Wellesbourne.
8. The local facilities are confined to a local shop in Barford and shops in Wellesbourne. The latter Town is currently been expanded with 1600 houses on the airfield and would be highly suitable for a traveller site as the Town sits in open countryside where traffic has to travel at slower speeds (4 Roundabouts currently on the main road).
9. The Local school in Barford is already at a maximum capacity and is located on a restricted site. Any further expansion will require the local authorities to relocate at considerable expence.
10. This GT12 site sits in the middle of highly productive farming land which has already been badly affected by the essential building of the Barford Bypass. This choice will have a detrimental effect on the local economy.

In conclusion, and certainly not on a NIBI basis, The choice of a site should surely be measured against just how well the Travelling community will fit into the local environment without endangering life and limb or that very environment itself. GT12 is in a dangerous position which will require considerable cost to make safe. It has not got local facilities to hand and will damage local industry. There must be a simpler and better solution to this issue and we look to you, our local government, to provide a sensible answer.

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