H34 Leek Wootton - The Paddock
Object
Publication Draft
Representation ID: 65258
Received: 27/06/2014
Respondent: Mr Simon Bell
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Yes
Woodcote Drive is not suitable for any additional traffic generated by this development. 40 dwellings =240 additional vehicle movements a day.
No safe footpath.
The development will increase traffic at the Anchor/Warwick Road dangerous junction.
Highways and transport issues state no access to this site is possible from Woodcote Lane.
SHLAA physical restraints state that access would have to be along Woodcote Drive.
Woodcote Drive is a poorly maintained private drive entered through ornate gates which are probably listed as part of the curtilage of Woodcote and stand in the Leek Wootton conservation area. They are 3.2 m wide. Not wide enough for two vehicles to pass.
Woodcote Drive narrows towards these gates to 4.2m and on average is less than 4.8m wide past the existing dwellings. There is not a footpath and to establish one would require removal of trees with TPO protection and decimation of the rhododendrons that form an important part of the entrance to the listed gardens of Woodcote (Police HQ).
The proposal to build 40 dwelling on the site would generate circa 240 vehicle movements a day, many at peak times. There is no certainty that the Warwickshire police will leave the site but even if they do any reduction of traffic would be minimal as planning consent is granted for a care home complex again with significant vehicle movements.
These additional vehicle movements will also have a impact on the very dangerous Anchor junction.
Highways and transport issues state no access to this site is possible from Woodcote Lane.
SHLAA physical restraints state that access would have to be along Woodcote Drive.
Woodcote Drive is a poorly maintained private drive entered through ornate gates which are probably listed as part of the curtilage of Woodcote and stand in the Leek Wootton conservation area. They are 3.2 m wide. Not wide enough for two vehicles to pass.
Woodcote Drive narrows towards these gates to 4.2m and on average is less than 4.8m wide past the existing dwellings. There is not a footpath and to establish one would require removal of trees with TPO protection and decimation of the rhododendrons that form an important part of the entrance to the listed gardens of Woodcote (Police HQ).
The proposal to build 40 dwelling on the site would generate circa 240 vehicle movements a day, many at peak times. There is no certainty that the Warwickshire police will leave the site but even if they do any reduction of traffic would be minimal as planning consent is granted for a care home complex again with significant vehicle movements.
These additional vehicle movements will also have a impact on the very dangerous Anchor junction.
Object
Publication Draft
Representation ID: 65375
Received: 26/06/2014
Respondent: John and Caroline Roberts
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Yes
The original Retirement Village option should be reviewed with a rapidly ageing population. Even the original Local Plan booklet mentions "there are particular local challenges around older residents looking to downsize and stay locally". We still maintain that a proper survey would have revealed the Anchor 'T' junction to be a real problem for ANY moderate increase in traffic flows.
If we are to accept there has to be some development in Leek Wooton, and a portion of this is likely to be in the Police Headquarters, then we would probably have agreed to the development at 'Area 4 Woodcote House' on the original Local Plan, and at this area only, for the 20 houses originally mentioned. It is quite strange that there seems to be no commercial interest in the the original Retirement Village option, with a rapidly ageing population etc, and even the original Local Plan booklet mentions about Leek Wootton "there are particular local challenges around older residents looking to downsize and stay locally".
We still maintain that "Site access acceptable for a cluster of sites on the Woodcote House Estate" is totally wrong. In our opinion, we feel that a proper survey would have revealed the Anchor 'T' junction to be a real problem for ANY moderate increase in traffic flows:
1) Traffic lights or a roundabout would somehow have to be provided at the end of Woodcote Lane (Anchor 'T' junction), and there are listed buildings surrounding this already very tight junction with extremely poor visibility.
2) There is an argument that traffic flows would be similar to that of the present Constabulary traffic, however, if the Police stay, we will be talking about an EXTRA 240 movements a day (40 houses total x 6 daily movements) now also including weekends of course.
3) More importantly perhaps is that present traffic movements in and out for police patrol cars and staff are staggered through flexi-time etc. We can tell you that Woodcote Drive itself is not busy at all at say 8.30am (presumably because of flexi-time), so can one really imagine the 'bedlam' at the Anchor 'T' junction with extra cars all to going in the same direction all at this time, PLUS scores of children walking to school as well!
4) The pollution aspect of stationary cars with their engines running in this banked area, re point 3)
5) The pedestrian safety aspect re point 3). The present pavement situation is dangerous for any pedestrian, let alone children, with VERY LITTLE prospect of adequate improvement!
6) The gates at the Headquarters main entrance are very narrow at 3.2 meters, and listed.
7) All the above problems would still exist if a completely fresh entrance into the Headquarters site is created in Woodcote Lane.
Object
Publication Draft
Representation ID: 66077
Received: 27/06/2014
Respondent: Historic England
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Yes
The proposal represents a sizable development within the setting of Woodcote House (Grade II listed). There appears to be no evidence to demonstrate the significance of the heritage assets, or conservation area.
The NPPF requires Local Plans, as a whole, to set out a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment. This means ensuring that the sites which it is proposing to put forward for development will assist in delivering such a strategy and not contradict it.
The selection of sites for development needs to be informed by the evidence base and the Plan should avoid allocating those sites which are likely to result in harm to the significance of the heritage assets of the Plan area. Where adverse impacts are unavoidable, the plan should consider how that harm might be reduced and any residual harm mitigated (NPPF para 152).
Without an historic environment assessment the local authority is unable to assert that the objectives for sustainable development have been understood.
See attachment.
Support
Publication Draft
Representation ID: 66640
Received: 26/06/2014
Respondent: Place Partnership Limited (PPL)
Warwickshire Police fully supports the development strategy for housing and the specific allocations identified in the pre‐submission version of the LP at Leek Wootton. The
identified allocations are in suitable locations and on land which is available now.
Development would fulfil the requirements of the emerging Development Plan in terms of layout and design (BE1), without impacting adversely on the Green Belt or detracting from the significance of heritage assets.
Warwickshire Police has been pursuing in full consultation with the local and wider communities , a considered, orderly and comprehensive plan for the disposal of the
Woodcote estate in so far as this is compatible with policing objectives and public interest. A decision as to whether the existing communications function will be relocated has yet to be made.
The allocations identified in the draft LP for the Woodcote estate are an important ingredient in facilitating the necessary realignment of policing assets in Warwickshire and
Warwickshire Police wishes the wider public benefit of making these allocations to be noted by the Council and, in due course, when the LP is subject to public examination .
see attached