Publication Draft

Support

Representation ID: 7116

Received: 10/09/2009

Respondent: Advantage West Midlands

Supportive of broad spatial option proposed which will promote balanced development to meet needs and opportunities, comprising of balanced growth in and around four towns, limited development in rural areas and to secure rural renaissance and growth south of Coventry. Could assist development of economic opportunities arising from Warwick University, which could become increasingly important to District economy.
Welcomes growth of Coventry, acknowledged as being major influence in growth of Warwick District due to proximity and close linkages within sub-region. Major regeneration of Coventry is of particular importance to District due to scale of planned retail/office development.

Support

Representation ID: 7117

Received: 10/09/2009

Respondent: Advantage West Midlands

Support protecting existing employment sites and re-developing vacant sites as high quality employment. Allocated, readily available employment sites are valuable resource not to be lightly transferred to alternative use if District is to maintain attractive portfolio of sites to promote sustainable economic growth. Pleased to see identification of key strategic sites and inclusion of University expansion within employment land supply. Little reference to Stoneleigh Park given importance of large strategic development site for district and region. Stoneleigh Park key economic asset whose redevelopment of significant importance but unclear if plans are included within employment figures.

Support

Representation ID: 7118

Received: 10/09/2009

Respondent: Advantage West Midlands

Welcome comprehensive references to tourism. Supportive of preferred option, which identifies importance to economy of District. Could be strengthened through reference to other key elements which contribute to creating visitor destination, such as townscape/public realm in contributing to a sense of place, transport, infrastructure and provision of retail, entertainment, food and drink outlets. Links to wider South Warwickshire tourism offer, could add value and increase visitor stays by making links and encouraging tourists. With proposed increase in office accommodation, may be opportunities for more business tourism which may support further hotel development and safeguard existing hotel uses.

Support

Representation ID: 7119

Received: 10/09/2009

Respondent: Advantage West Midlands

Supports flexible, community led approach to rural development proposed and welcomes reference to West Midlands Rural Economy Study and AWM Rural Renaissance Framework and Action Plan. Whilst Core Strategy supports market and affordable housing to meet local needs and strengthen viability of services and facilities, there is also a link to encouraging small scale employment alongside housing and services. Home working can reduce the need to travel and could increase use of local services in rural areas. There is scope for range of high value employment opportunities in rural areas and higher value jobs should be encouraged alongside tourism.

Comment

Representation ID: 7120

Received: 10/09/2009

Respondent: Advantage West Midlands

Encouraged by draft Sustainable Building policy, which will be informed further through sub-regional renewables study and water cycle study. Formulation of more detailed policies within Core Strategy could be aided by reference to Checklist West Midlands. Checklist has been developed by WMRA with range of regional and national partners and covers regionally specific sustainability and masterplanning issues, emphasising those of higher priority and highlighting best practice.

Comment

Representation ID: 7121

Received: 10/09/2009

Respondent: Advantage West Midlands

Acknowledges that Infrastructure Plan is being developed to identify key strategic infrastructure to support outlined growth. Would welcome engagement in process. If District Council decides to adopt Community Infrastructure Levy it is Agency's view that this should be framed flexibly enough to allow it to respond to changing economic circumstances whilst securing viable contributions towards strategic infrastructure. Development costs should be considered when setting level of CIL charge to ensure viability is not compromised at expense of these policy aims or delivery of strategic infrastructure.

Comment

Representation ID: 7122

Received: 10/09/2009

Respondent: Advantage West Midlands

Crucial part of process is the production of a robust evidence base and transparency to show how CIL tariffs reflect local market conditions within the District to ensure it does not restrict regeneration and development due to unviable levels of obligations. Key task for Council will be to gain agreement from partners in prioritising infrastructure requirements to make certain that essential strategic infrastructure works vital to the Core Strategy are funded first to
encourage and promote development. Prioritisation of infrastructure requirements will also give investors and developers certainty and confidence that specific works will be carried out expedientl