Alternative Sites Consultation

Green belt land in the Thickthorn area has already been identified as suitable for development.

A further allocation in this area would impose severe strains on the local infrastructure. Glasshouse Lane, Crewe Lane, Dalehouse Lane and A46 Stoneleigh and Thickthorn Roundabouts are heavily used now and struggling to meet demand. There are also serious concerns that large scale new development will bring about a re-occurrence of drainage problems that affected Ashow in the past.

There is a lack of public transport in South Eastern Kenilworth as none of the major transport routes run through this area.

Green belt land in the Thickthorn area has already been identified as suitable for development.

A further allocation in this area would impose severe strains on the local infrastructure. Glasshouse Lane, Crewe Lane, Dalehouse Lane and A46 Stoneleigh and Thickthorn Roundabouts are heavily used now and struggling to meet demand. There are also serious concerns that large scale new development will bring about a re-occurrence of drainage problems that affected Ashow in the past.

There is a lack of public transport in South Eastern Kenilworth as none of the major transport routes run through this area.

Development of this site would result in a major extension of the urban fringe of Coventry that would fill in much of the gap between University of Warwick and Burton Green, contrary to green belt policy. This is recognised in the Coventry Joint Green Belt Study, Appendix 11 which says "This is a strategically important section of the Green Belt located between Coventry and Kenilworth. It is understood that the University have planning permission to greatly increase their campus facilities within their landholding and whereas this is expected to be well considered development, it will in effect substantially close the gap between the main settlements. It is recommended the areas of C13 that lie outside of the University grounds are retained as Green Belt."
There are ancient woodlands - Roughknowles Wood and Whitefield Coppice - on the site. They are identified as "Primary Restraints on development in Coventry Joint Green Belt Study Appendix 5 Site 13.
Development of this large site would overload existing road network leading to more pressure to build the "Westwood Relief Road" in the open land between Coventry and Kenilworth.
Allowing large scale house building in this area would have an adverse impact on the programme for the regeneration of the Coventry.