DS11 Allocated Housing Sites

I believe that the processes involved have been fair and thorough as far as the housing allocations for Kingswood/Lapworth are concerned. Reasonable arguments have been listened to and investigated with site visits. There have been consultation meetings at the Village Hall and invitations for the Parish Council to update meetings. Whilst not all residents are happy with all the outcomes, I believe that the representations regarding the most controversial sites have been reviewed properly and fully justifiable decisions have been made in the Local Plan.

I feel that the processes and consultations adhered to during this exercise have been fair and I believe local views have been heard.
Furthermore I firmly believe the final plan reflects the views of those who live in the local area much more closely than the earlier versions.

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I think the final draft for Kingswood and Lapworth now allocates a much more proportionate number of new dwellings relative to the siz e and amenities of the community. There was strong negative feeling in the village to the proposed 150 houses and I am pleased that Warwick DC consulted with residents in a fair way and listened to their views.

I support the current sites proposed for the Kingswood area. I believe that the views of local residents have been listened to and the consultations have been fair. Most importantly I believe that the sites chosen for development around Kingswood are sympathetic to the existing village whilst still contributing to the additional housing requirements.

I live in Station Lane, Lapworth, and feel that the process to remove sites 8 and 9 in Kingswood from future development reflects the views of residents and inspectors of the sites. Balanced and pragmatic concerns from many parties have been listened to and investigated with site visits. The consultation process has been thorough and eventually well publisised. Although the developers may not be happy the correct decisions have been made in the local plan that ensure the village of Lapworth and the productive meadows that break up the linear appearence of Station Lane are maintained. Many thanks.

To develop site 8 on Station Lane, Kingswood in Lapworth would have been a huge impact on the environment and joy of this rural village. The thorough process by the residents group, the Parish Council and Warwick District Council has been comprehensive and reached the best conclusion for Kingswood.

This submission is made on behalf of the Kingswood Residents' Group consisting of residents in the Kingswood area of Lapworth.

The Kingswood Residents' Group supports the Pre-Submission Draft of the Warwick District Council Local Plan, and is of the opinion that due process has been followed in its development. In particular Warwick District Council has arranged briefing meetings for village residents during its consultation periods, and has also held briefing meetings for Lapworth Parish Councillors. Whilst communication has been slower than ideal at times between the several consultation periods, the Group believes that the overall process has been conducted fairly and professionally. Consequently the Group commends Warwick District Council for producing a balanced document which meets its key national targets whilst also listening and responding to local views whenever good reasons have been presented by local residents.

I believe the process overall has been fair and the concerns of the residents have been listened to and carefully considered. The final proposed plans reflect the views of residents more than the earlier versions.

I believe that the Pre-Submission Draft Local Plan is a vast improvement on earlier versions, and now reflects much better the views of the residents of the Kingswood area of Lapworth. I am satisfied that the process has been fair and I am pleased to support the Plan.

In view of our comments above in respect of the need to increase the overall housing requirement and the robustness of the existing sources of supply, we consider that there is a need to identify additional sites for residential development.

We consider that land at the Woodside Management Centre (SHLAA Ref: K19) is suitable, available and achievable for residential development and could provide a valuable contribution towards meeting the full objectively assessed needs of the District over the plan period.

In coming to this view we are mindful that the land is located between draft housing allocation H06 (Thickthorn) and draft education allocation ED2 (Southcrest Farm), both of which are proposed to be released from the Green Belt for development. Should these draft allocations go forward to adoption, which we would support, the land at the Woodside Management Centre would effectively remain as a wedge of isolated Green Belt surrounded by built development and the A46. With this in mind, and conscious that the land already includes significant areas of built development and hardstanding, it is our view that the land would fail to meet any of the five stated purposes of including land within the Green Belt.

The site has been assessed by the Council in the 2014 update of the SHLAA which concludes that the site is potentially suitable. We can confirm that development of the site would not involve the loss of any high quality agricultural land and the site is readily available and could be delivered in the 0-5 year period. Having considered the potential constraints to development, it is our view that the extent of land available would allow significant landscape buffers to be retained and new planting introduced to provide an appropriate off-set from the nearby scheduled ancient monument and ancient woodland and to protect occupiers from any potential noise disturbance from the A46.

Initial feasibility work suggests that approximately 6.5 hectares of net developable land could be available which could accommodate between 150 - 200 dwellings together with associated open space, landscaping, access arrangements and sustainable drainage features. The development would be readily assimilated in to the existing residential development to the west and would provide key connectivity between draft allocations H06 to the south and ED2 to the north.

In terms of access to the site, there would appear to be two viable options. Firstly, it is possible to construct a new access to the site broadly in the location of the existing secondary access to the Management Centre, opposite the existing junction between Glasshouse Lane and Stansfield Grove. Alternatively, or as an additional point of access, there would appear to be potential to deliver an access point to the south in to the draft allocation H06. This could be delivered through an existing break in the woodland, without the need for significant tree felling. This link would also improve pedestrian and cycle links between the principal housing allocation for Kenilworth (H06) and the draft allocation for the new secondary school site (ED2), improving the sustainability of both sites.

Policy DS11 proposes the development of 43 dwellings at Kingswood (Lapworth), however the evidence supporting the Local Plan suggests that the settlement should accommodate more growth than this. The level of growth proposed at Kingswood (Lapworth) is considered unlikely to achieve the objectives set out in the Local Plan in terms of re-balancing the local housing market to provide much needed affordable housing and market homes for local residents and helping support and sustain local services, facilities and businesses.

The Villages Settlement Hierarchy report (2013) set out a robust appraisal of the sustainability of Kingswood (Lapworth) as a location for growth. It ranked the village as a 'Growth Village' and set out a strategy that 20% growth to the village would be sought. Since the village contains 381 dwellings (Census 2011), 20% growth would amount to 76 dwellings. The Village Settlement Hierarchy report set out that housing would be apportioned to villages taking in to account physical and policy constraints, land availability, the role and character of the settlement and the appetite of Parish Councils for increased growth to encourage growth in local services.

Aligned to the Villages Settlement Hierarchy report, the Council's Preferred Options Local Plan consultation in June 2013 consulted on a proposal for growth of 100-150 dwellings to Kingswood (Lapworth).

The Village Housing Apportionment (Revised May 2014) shows how proposals for growth at Kingswood (Lapworth) have been eroded over a series of consultations to stand at the current proposal for 43 dwellings, which is only 11% growth to the village. This erosion in the housing target seems to be due to a lack of available and suitable land for significant growth at Kingswood (Lapworth) and pressure from local residents and organisations to limit the amount of growth to the village. However the evidence remains that the village is a highly sustainable location for growth.

The current proposal for 43 dwellings would deliver in the region of 17 affordable dwellings to Kingswood (Lapworth). This is unlikely mark a change in terms of re-balancing the housing market. The delivery of 100-150 dwellings at the settlement has the potential to deliver between 40-60 affordable dwellings. This would provide a much greater contribution to the village and is much more likely to effect the change that Policy DS11 seeks to make.

The development of 100-150 dwellings at Kingswood (Lapworth) would provide substantial support to the local services and facilities in the village and this level of growth could stimulate growth in those facilities. This would build upon the substantial sustainability credentials of the settlement to bring about positive change to the village.

In previous work on the Local Plan, the lack of available and suitable land stood in the way of achieving growth of 100-150 dwellings. However Nurton Developments now have an interest in a significant area of land at Kingswood - 8.2ha of land north of Rising Lane, as shown in the attached plan.

The site has not been fully assessed previously in the preparation of the Local Plan as it was not being promoted as a location for growth. However 2 small parcels of land on Rising Lane were assessed in the Local Plan evidence base (KW9*0 and KW10*0) and discounted due to 'frequent localised flooding'. This appears to be the only physical constraint that stood in the way of the sites being considered further for removal from the Green Belt.

Nurton Developments are now committed to promoting the site for development and are working with the landowner to highlight the availability and suitability of the land for development.

The flood risk constraint to the site has been investigated further and is summarised in the attached appraisal by BWB Consulting. Although the site is partly affected by flooding, the majority of the land is free of flood risk and could accommodate in the region of 100 dwellings. Furthermore, the potential will be explored for the flood-constrained part of the site to be used as public open space, enhancing this canalside location.

The land is free of significant physical constraints and is considered to form a well defined parcel, contained by the adjacent railway line, canal and other landscape features, such that its removal from the Green Belt would not harm the purposes of including land within the Green Belt. Nurton Developments will be working to provide further detail in the near future as to how the site can be suitably developed.

I wish to confirm that in my opinion the processes and consultations relating to allocated housing sites in the Kingswood area have been conducted in a fair and proper manner; there have been good opportunities for residents to express their opinions and the current draft allocation of housing reflects the views of the residents much better than previous drafts.

It has been submitted in representations under Policies DS6, DS7, DS19 and DS20 that further land is required to be allocated for housing. Nurton Developments and the Forrester Family wish to highlight the availability and suitability for development of land at Loes Farm, Warwick. This is a site measuring approximately 27.3ha, as shown in the attached plan.

Approximately 10ha of this site was allocated as a 'preferred option' for development of 180 dwellings in the May 2012 iteration of the draft Local Plan. However the site allocation was not pursued by the Council in the subsequent iteration of the draft Local Plan - the Revised Development Strategy (June 2013). The reasons given were that (1) updated landscape and transport evidence suggested that there is scope to locate development outside the Green Belt, therefore exceptional circumstances do not exist to release the land from the Green Belt; and (2) the potential impact upon heritage assets would be difficult to mitigate.

Given the additional need for housing, both to meet the district's Objectively Assessed Need over an appropriate plan period and the likely significant additional need to be accommodated from other districts, it is considered that exceptional circumstances do exist to justify removing further land from the Green Belt. Furthermore, as has been previously submitted in response to earlier consultation, the land at Loes Farm is suitable for the provision of housing, subject to an appropriate strategy to mitigate impact upon heritage assets.

The Council's own evidence in the Considerations for Sustainable Landscape Planning (2012) report set out a strategy to develop the site whilst having regard to heritage assets. This report considered the potential for a different and larger part of the 27.3ha site to be developed for housing. Therefore at various stages the Council has considered the potential for most of the land to be developed.

In response to previous consultation on the Revised Development Strategy (2013), Barlow Associates submitted a report on behalf of the Forrester Family, prepared by Pleydell Smithyman, which considered the Landscape, Visual and Heritage setting of the site further and put forward a conceptual diagram illustrating how the development of the whole site could be pursued with appropriate landscape mitigation and enhancement. Nurton Developments and the Forrester Family intend to commission further evidence to demonstrate that the site could be developed without significant harm to heritage assets; indeed there is an opportunity to enhance the setting of heritage assets.

The Council's Joint Green Belt Review (2009) also identified the site at Loes Farm as one of the few 'least constrained' parcels of Green Belt land in the district. This lends support for the site to be considered as a high priority for development to meet the increased OAN. It is considered that the site should be removed from the Green Belt and allocated for residential development, or at the very least the site should be safeguarded to make provision for housing in response to a review of the Local Plan.

I think the overall process has been reasonable and that local concerns have been properly reflected.

DS11 Lapworth Parish Council believes that the consultation and review processes carried out by Warwick District Council have been thorough, professional and fair as far as the housing allocations for Kingswood/Lapworth are concerned. Reasonable arguments listened to and investigated with site visits. There were considerable problems at the outset about communications with the Parish Council, and even more so with residents. They were very poor and caused some ill-feeling. However in the course of the process it has become clear that reasonable objections were considered and investigated, with the result that the final plan reflects many of the comments made.

In line with objections raised to Policies DS6, DS7 and DS10, Deeley Group object to Policy DS11 as the overall housing numbers being provided for are too low. It is considered that additional sites should be included to make up the shortfall, and greater flexibility should be built into development within the Growth Villages.
Previous iterations of the Plan have provided for a range of dwellings to be provided within the Growth Villages, for example, the 2013 version of the Plan required a range of dwellings to be provided within each settlement. This approach was supported. The current approach of allocating a small number of sites with very tightly drawn settlement envelopes is inflexible and there is a very real danger that limited choice is being provided. This is not positive planning and contrary to NPPF. It makes little sense to exclude other suitable sites that may come forward in the plan period in sustainable locations. On this basis the current approach is considered to be 'unsound'.

It is considered that the Council should alter Policy DS11 to provide an overall figure for the Growth Villages, allocate known suitable sites, incorporate flexibility in the settlement boundaries and then provide a criteria based policy for additional sites to come forward in the plan period. The current structure of the plan allows for such an approach and this is discussed further in Deeley Group's objection to Policy HS10.

In terms of additional sites to be included within Policy DS11, Deeley Group in particular seek the inclusion of 2 sites:

1. Land off Home Farm, Leek Wooton
2. Land off Friends Close, Baginton

These are considered further below.

Home Farm, Leek Wootton

The site comprises 2.5 hectares of land, it is broadly rectangular in shape and is located on the western edge of the village. The site is accessed off Home Farm a cul-de-sac leading from Warwick Road which currently serves a number of residential properties.

The site immediately adjoins the existing built up part of Leek Wootton and is in a sustainable location. The local facilities within the village are within walking distance of the site. These facilities include a primary school, village hall, place of worship and a public house. The village is serviced by public transport, with an hourly bus service to Warwick.

The site is generally flat with mature trees along the boundaries and a few within the centre of the site. The Warwickshire Golf course lies along the western boundary of the site, farmland is located to the south and existing residential properties lie to the north and east. The residential character of the surrounding area is mixed with varying house types and designs including a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses and cottages.

The site is considered suitable for a mix of open market and affordable dwellings. The illustrative layout plan shows one option of how the site could be developed and indicates a scheme of low density residential development incorporating 10 units including a mix of 6 open market bungalows and 4 social houses to the northern part of the site which aims to provide a sustainable and inclusive mixed community.

The landscape proposals for the scheme are a key consideration, with opportunities for the inclusion of significant areas of open space incorporated into the scheme along with retained and improved landscape boundary treatment. One of the key features is to retain views into the open views into the countryside.
As with any development site, there are a range of environmental and technical considerations that need to be considered as part of any development allocation. These are addressed in the accompanying Statement in Support of the Representations which illustrate that there are no known technical reasons why this site could not come forward for development.

Friends Close, Baginton

The site comprises 0.9 hectares of land, and is located to the rear of houses on Mill Hill, in the north western part of the village. The site is accessed from Friends Close, an adopted cul-de-sac leading from Mill Hill that currently serves a church community hall to the east. A plan of the site is attached with these representations.

The site is sloping north to south and comprises of scrubland and an area of trees. The surrounding area to the north is residential in character whilst to the south it is open countryside. The site was originally part of a wider area that was the local quarry and used for sand and gravel extraction. The quarry was filled over 50 years ago and although some of the former quarry area is not suited for development, the land off Friends Close as identified in this submission has been assessed as suitable for development subject to normal mitigation.

The site is considered suitable for up to 20 units. As part of the development, land to the south as identified in blue on the site location plan would be offered to the Parish Council as for public access. This would provide a valuable local amenity.

In line with objections raised to Policies DS6, DS7 and DS10, A C Lloyd Homes object to Policy DS11 as the overall housing numbers being provided for are too low. It is considered that additional sites should be included to make up the shortfall, and greater flexibility should be built into development within the Growth Villages.

Previous iterations of the Plan have provided for a range of dwellings to be provided within the Growth Villages, for example the 2013 version of the Plan required a range of dwellings to be provided for within each settlement. This approach was supported. The current approach of allocating a small number of sites with very tightly drawn settlement envelopes is inflexible and there is a very real danger that limited choice is being provided. This is not positive planning and contrary to NPPF. It makes little sense to exclude other suitable sites that may come forward in the plan period in sustainable locations. On this basis the current approach is considered to be 'unsound'.

It is considered that the Council should alter Policy DS11 to provide an overall figure for the Growth Villages, allocate known suitable sites, incorporate flexibility in the settlement boundaries and then provide a criteria based policy for additional sites to come forward in the plan period. The current structure of the plan allows for such an approach and this is discussed further in A C Lloyd Homes' objection to Policy HS10.

In terms of additional sites to be included within Policy DS11, A C Lloyd Homes in particular seek the inclusion of 2 sites:

1. Land at Spring Lane, Radford Semele.
2. Land off Severn Acre Close, Bishops Tachbrook

These are considered further below.

A C Lloyd Homes also make comment in relation to the allocated land at Hatton Park which is also considered below.

Spring Lane, Radford Semele

Radford Semele, is one of the largest and most sustainable villages in the District but the draft plan only allocates one site for 50 dwellings within the village. In preparing the plan the Council has failed to include an additional highly suitable site off Spring Lane, on the south west edge of the village. This site extends to 3.37 hectares and is identified on the site location plan accompanying these representations. It is considered suitable for up to 65 units.

The site at Spring Lane is in a highly accessible location within the village, more so even than the allocated site. The site is subject to a planning application (ref: W/14/0433) that was validated on 26th March 2014. This application is in outline form and relates to the proposed development of up to 65 houses including a mix of open market dwellings and affordable dwellings. The application was submitted with an illustrative layout and a number of technical reports including a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Transport Statement, Ecology Report, Flood Risk Assessment and Planning Statement. These key documents are attached to these representations to help inform the considerations for the site.

The site is by far the best placed site within the village in terms of proximity to community facilities and services. It lies immediately next to the sports ground/play ground and associated community hall and club. It is extremely well linked to the public footpath network and is also within very easy walking distance of the primary school on School Lane and the local shops and church on Spring Lane. It is also in walking distance of bus stops. It is therefore clear that in principle the site offers a sustainable location to provide additional development.
In respect of technical issues relating to the delivery of the site, these have all been considered as part of the recent planning application and all matters have been satisfactorily resolved such that the site is clearly deliverable.

The only aspect of the site that is in dispute with The District Council is the Landscape and Visual Impacts of the development. The assessment that accompanies the application submission concludes that, at present, the character of the countryside to the south and west of Radford Semele is currently adversely affected by the hard edge of the village caused by the unscreened rear elevation of the last line of houses developed on the ridge line. Should the development at Spring Lane come forward this hard edge can be softened by a flexible form of development layout and associated generous landscape proposals as put forward in the current planning application. Furthermore, the development of the site would form a natural 'rounding-off' of the village boundaries and would not compromise the open nature of the area or reduce the minimum width of the green wedge between the settlements of Radford Semele and Sydenham. The County Council has recently revised its Landscape evidence base for the District and has made amendments to the Sensitivity Study for Radford. In doing so the Spring Lane site has been downgraded from 'High sensitivity' to residential development to 'High/Medium' and the amendments specifically recognise that some development could be accommodated on the Spring Lane site to address the current hard edge of the settlement in this location.

In respect of Transport issues, the Transport Statement identifies that the site is situated in a sustainable location and well connected to existing pedestrian, cycle and public transport networks. It also demonstrates that traffic generation associated with the development of the site would be modest and would not have a material adverse impact on the operation of the adjacent highway network. The County Highways Authority has raised no objection to the current planning application.

The Ecological Assessment has shown that the habitat is very poor for wildlife and that the development of the site would have minimal direct impact on any habitat apart from arable land. There are also opportunities for habitat enhancement within and around the perimeters of the site.

The Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Report show that the site is at no risk of flooding and the surface water drainage can be managed to ensure that any development will not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere. Foul water disposal will be via the existing adopted Severn Trent sewers.

There are no objections to the current application from statutory consultees and there are no technical or environmental issues to prevent development of the site for residential purposes.

To summarise the site is in a sustainable location, adjacent to the built up area of the village of Radford Semele. Future residents of the site would have the opportunity to access every day facilities and key destinations by a choice of transport modes. The site is available and achievable and offers a sustainable solution to assist in meeting the housing requirement for the District.





Seven Acre Close, Bishop's Tachbrook

Bishop's Tachbrook is a sustainable settlement and one of the largest Growth Villages in the District. In preparing the plan, the Council has failed to include an additional highly suitable site in the village off Seven Acre Close on the north west edge of the village. This site extends to 2.39 hectares and is identified on the site location plan accompanying these representations. It is considered suitable for up to 60 units.

The southern part of the site (extending to 0.85 hectares) is currently subject to a planning application ref: W/14/0763 that was validated on 20th May 2014. This proposes a limited first phase of development to meet short term housing needs whilst the wider site is considered suitable for longer term needs over the Local Plan period. The current application is in outline form and relates to the proposed development of up to 25 houses, including a mix of 15 open market dwellings and 10 affordable dwellings. The application was submitted with an illustrative layout and a number of technical reports including a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Transport Statement, Ecology Report, Flood Risk Assessment and Planning Statement. These key documents are attached to these representations to help inform the considerations for the site.

The site immediately adjoins the main part of the settlement and is located between existing houses off Seven Acre Close and an individual farm house and small holding known as Knob Hill. All local facilities within the village are within easy walking distance of the site. These facilities include a village store, primary school, sports and social club, recreation ground and play area, church, medical centre and public house.

The Landscape and Visual Assessment for the current application shows that the site benefits from a good level of existing boundary treatment and is well contained. In respect of visual impact the sensitivity of visual receptors to the proposals are not significant.

The Transport Statement for the current application identifies that the site is situated in an accessible location and is well connected to existing pedestrian, cycle and public transport networks. It also demonstrates that the traffic generation associated with the current proposals will be modest and will not have a material impact upon the operation of the adjacent highway network. It also demonstrates that a satisfactory access can be achieved. It is considered that this access also has capacity for the wider site should it be required.

The Ecology Report demonstrates that ecological considerations do not pose a material constraint to the development of the site and adequate mitigation measures can be provided.

The Drainage Report shows that the site is at no risk of flooding and is located in Flood Zone 1. Surface water drainage can be managed to ensure that the development will not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere. Foul and surface water disposal will be via the existing adopted Severn Trent Sewers.

There are no objections to the current application from statutory consultees and there are no technical or environmental issues to prevent development of the site for residential purposes.

To summarise the site is in a sustainable location, adjacent to the built up area of the village of Bishop's Tachbrook. Future residents of the site would have the opportunity to access every day facilities and key destinations by a choice of transport modes. The site is available and achievable and offers a sustainable solution to assist in meeting the housing requirement for the District.


Birmingham Road, Hatton Park

A C Lloyd Homes support the allocation of Land north of Birmingham Road, Hatton Park. When bringing forward this site it will be critical to ensure any new community can integrate with the existing community at Hatton Park, which can be secured by bringing access through from Ebrington Drive. This will ensure connectivity to the village, existing bus stops and local facilities, whilst also avoiding an unnecessary new access onto the Warwick Road. As owner of the land at the end of Ebrington Drive, A C Lloyd Homes is willing to work with the site owners to ensure this more preferable access solution is delivered.

A sequential test focussing on brownfield and in-town sites has not been completed.

No 'exceptional circumstances', as required by the NPPF to justify development in the Green Belt are identified, nor indeed exist.

A sequential test focussing on brownfield and in-town sites has not been completed.

No 'exceptional circumstances', as required by the NPPF to justify development in the Green Belt are identified, nor indeed exist.

In order that Lapworth retains it rural character it is essential that some green remains within the village such as site 8 Kingswood. The increased traffic would also have a significant impact on Station lane. Having had 4 children go through Lapworth school I am acutely aware of how dangerous the road is already at school drop off and pick up times.

The increase in the level of housing to be provided for in the Plan period as between the Revised Development Strategy and the Publication Draft has necessitated an increased provision being made in and on the edge of Kenilworth, with a consequent removal of land from the Green Belt.

Representation 57673 submitted in response to the RDS promoted land to the north of Crew Lane and east of Glasshouse Lane as a suitable location to provide a choice of smaller sites for those wishing to live in Kenilworth. They are at the edge of the urban area and will, if the Plan is adopted in its present form, be adjacent to Site ED2 at Southcrest Farm. Their Green Belt function will, therefore, be diminished to a material extent.

I am writing as a member of the Kingswood community. I have followed the Local Plan process as it affects the Kingswood area, and I am satisfied that the processes and consultations have been thorough and fair and that our local views have been heard. The reduced allocation of 43 new houses reflects the views of myself and my neighbours much more closely than the earlier versions.

As a resident of Kingswood I have followed with interest and concern the proposals for housing development in this area. Whilst acknowledging the growing need for housing, I am satisfied that Warwick District Council has dealt fairly with the process of consultation and that the most recent proposal for an allocation of 43 new houses in Kingswood will serve the needs of this local population.

The Kenilworth Education Trust wants to ensure that the Local Plan properly accommodates and integrates the future needs of Kenilworth School and Sixth Form through policies and allocations which will allow for the growth and consolidation of the school on one site. Kenilworth School currently operates from two sites; the secondary school being located at Leyes Lane and the Sixth Form at the Rouncil Lane site. Kenilworth School and sixth form has 1,750 pupils on roll, which includes 450 sixth form students on the Rouncil Lane site.
The School will need to accommodate additional students based on forecast growth within the Kenilworth catchment, primarily associated with the new families being accommodated within new housing developments in the area, including those sites identified in the Local Plan. Additionally, because of a higher birth rate, there will be an increased requirement from 2019 to accommodate more students from within the existing Kenilworth primary catchment.
Many of the buildings on the two sites were built in the 1950/60s and the fabric of many of the buildings is approaching the end of its viable use. Furthermore the split between two sites has issues, such as duplication of roles, it detracts from efficient management and operations and increases teaching and running costs. It is therefore unlikely to prove to be practical or viable to continue to provide facilities on both sites whilst growing and developing the School to accommodate a larger numbers of students, whilst also providing a community service out of school hours. The School is therefore seeking to consolidate its buildings and other facilities onto one site.
To date there has been dialogue between Kenilworth Education Trust and Warwick District Council and Warwickshire County Council about the future plans of the School. Furthermore the School has responded to earlier public consultation on the Council's proposed development strategy and site allocations for the new Local Plan.
The decreased funding from government and the increased pressure to provide value for money whilst retaining the current outstanding results means it is an imperative that a viable solution is found which seeks to maximise any returns. This will include ensuring that there is sufficient return from any land that may need to be disposed, if one or potentially two sites are surplus to the School's requirements.
Given these considerations, the only way of ensuring that a new and better school can be provided to serve Kenilworth and the wider catchment area is to identify a viable and deliverable solution for redevelopment on either one of the existing school sites or potentially on a new site. For these reasons the School appointed advisors to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study with the aim of identifying a preferred approach. The Arup study has identified a number of potential options for the new facilities within Kenilworth, including South Crest Farm on Glasshouse Lane which is contained within the Warwick District Council Local Development Plan.
There is still a considerable amount of work to be undertaken in looking at these options, not least in considering the financial viability of each. Throughout this process the aim of the Governors and senior staff is to keep all options open so that any decisions that are taken will be in the best interests of the school and the community.
Until this time the current allocations may not meet the following tests of soundness:
1. Justified: The allocated sites have not been fully demonstrated to be the most appropriate strategy when considered against reasonable alternatives. The alternatives and the evidence are currently being evaluated by advisors and a strategy will emerge from this work. The Kenilworth Education Trust would like to discuss and agree this strategy with the objective that it will inform the allocations of land for Education and Housing Use in the Submission version of the Local Plan.
2. Effective: There is currently insufficient evidence that the sites currently allocated on the existing school sites and on the new proposed site for school (ED2) can be delivered during the plan period. Evidence on deliverability will form part of the advisors' findings from the Feasibility Study.
3. Consistent with National Policy: The current allocations may not be consistent with national policy as set out within the NPPF, in particular paragraph 173. This states "pursuing sustainable development requires careful attention to viability and costs in plan making and decision making. Plans should be deliverable". Also the current allocations may not be consistent with paragraph 177 of the NPPF that reads "It is equally important to ensure that there is a reasonable prospect that planning infrastructure is deliverable in a timely fashion". Again the evidence on whether a site for a new school can be delivered within the plan period on any of the three potential site opportunities will be fully set out within the advisors' Feasibility Study.
The Kenilworth education Trust wants to ensure that the local Plan properly accommodates and integrates the future needs of Kenilworth School and Sixth Form through policies and allocations which will allow for the growth and consolidation of the school on one site. The only way of ensuring that a new and better school can be provided to serve Kenilworth and the wider catchment area is to identify a viable and deliverable solution for redevelopment on either one of the existing school sites or potentially on a new site. A comprehensive feasibility study has been commissioned to identify a preferred approach.

I consider that the processes and consultations have been fair. I also consider that the views of local people have been listened to.
As a result I consider that this final plan does reflect the views of residents much more closely than earlier versions.

The objection is to the omission of land on the north-east side of Red Lane (i.e. opposite allocated site H24 and immediately south-east of the houses on Red Lane that form part of the main built-up area of the village) as a housing allocation.

The objection is to the omission of land in Burton Green as an allocated housing site. This is land north-east of Red Lane, opposite allocated housing site H24 and immediately south-east of the existing village form, as defined by the existing houses on Red Lane

Please see the attached representation submitted by PJ Planning on behalf of Sharba Homes Group

see attached