Publication Draft

Object

Representation ID: 7106

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: The Warwick Society

Underlying theme of Strategy is rapid development of employment, retailing, tourism and housing. Sustainability seen only as a qualification - strategic objective 19 - to the nature of new development (and the proposed pattern of development actually makes this objective unachievable) rather than being itself the vital objective. The government commitment to reducing CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050 should be Strategy's overriding objective. If it remains absent, environmental and economic consequences (the latter demonstrated by the Stern Report) would threaten not just characteristics that Society defends but standard of living of all District's residents.

Object

Representation ID: 7107

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: The Warwick Society

Against this background of misguided objectives, our more detailed comments inevitably focus on specific proposals, even though they conflict with sustainability. These comments are made because we wish further consideration of the Core Strategy to be related both to the evident defects of its content and to the misdirection of its whole. It is our view that completely different strategic objectives and detailed proposals, directed above all towards sustainability, should replace the existing Core Strategy

Object

Representation ID: 7108

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: The Warwick Society

Population 'projections' which lead to development proposals are not forecasts with realistic basis. Projected population growth unrealistic because it assumes continuing in-migration at rate when house-building was allowed to exceed local needs. This demonstrates a false and circular argument: population growth driven by house-building, not other way round. In line with focus of RSS on regeneration of major cities of West Midlands, house-building should be planned only to meet properly-based forecast of local needs. Otherwise, Warwick and the other towns will become part of an increasingly sprawling West Midlands Conurbation, based on growing and unsustainable car use, and destroying qualities of County's towns.

Object

Representation ID: 7109

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: The Warwick Society

Local needs are above all a need for affordable housing, sustainably sited. Extensive greenfield development, necessitating high car use would not permit either affordable or sustainable life styles. weaknesses in the policies for the conservation of listed buildings and protected townscapes, and for the provision of affordable housing, the essential local need. We object to these weaknesses, and are concerned that the existing local plan policies covering them may become unenforceable after 2011.

Object

Representation ID: 7110

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: The Warwick Society

The way in which new homes are to be distributed is unsatisfactory. 2,100 expected to be built on 'windfall' brownfield sites. We consider this brownfield figure, is much too low: unexpectedly high availability of such sites fuelled excessive rate of house-building before 2006. Brownfield sites intensifying existing urban development, are much more sustainable than greenfield. A reappraisal of their availability, led by a rigorous search for them should be carried out. This, with reduction in the total number of houses required would doubly reduce the number of houses for which greenfield sites would be required.

Object

Representation ID: 7111

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: The Warwick Society

The concentration of excessive house-building on the greenfield land south east of Warwick, between it, Leamington, Whitnash and Bishops Tachbrook, would severely damage both Warwick town's setting and, through the traffic generated, its Town Centre.

Object

Representation ID: 7112

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: The Warwick Society

Object to site west of Europa Way. Was classified Area of Restraint in local plan, which stated such areas important for proper structure and character of towns. Purpose now more important. Each of urban areas is distinct place with own identity. Separation of towns by green open space essential for wellbeing. Show self-restraint in reviewing Plan, and continue to attach vital role as breathing space between towns.
This land and other proposed greenfield sites on the fringe of urban area would be heavily car-dependent. Suggestion that houses will be close to work and people will walk is unrealistic.

Object

Representation ID: 7113

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: The Warwick Society

Assertion that appraisal of infrastructure needs of each of proposed sites could only be carried out once preferred option is confirmed is ludicrous. Limitations of transport infrastructure serving these sites are implacably worsened by geography: Avon, crossed only at Castle Bridge in Warwick and Princes Drive in Leamington is absolute barrier - these bridges already saturated by traffic. Availability of infrastructure - transport, energy, water, sewerage, educational and other social needs is essential and choice cannot be made until after appraisal has been completed.
Concerned that, in absence of such appraisal, damaging impact of development on Warwick Town Centre through generation of traffic will be overlooked.

Comment

Representation ID: 7114

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: The Warwick Society

Note that Europa Way, Myton Road, Gallows Hill triangle is proposed for early development. Would be entirely unsatisfactory, enabling development to precede that on more difficult sites in Coventry and the other cities; and inhibiting drawing-forth of brownfield sites within Warwick district. Should any greenfield site eventually be allocated for development such an allocation should only be made provisionally for the very end of the plan period, and after brownfield sites have been exhausted.

Object

Representation ID: 7115

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: The Warwick Society

Weaknesses in the policies for the conservation of listed buildings and protected townscapes, and for the provision of affordable housing, the essential local need. We object to these weaknesses, and are concerned that the existing local plan policies covering them may become unenforceable after 2011.