Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule

Paragraph 2.2 of the document refers to the Infrastructure Delivery Plan to "...identify all the items of new or improved infrastructure that will need to be provided to mitigate the impacts of the planned development." Your Draft Infrastructure Plan May 2012 does not have any specific references to the Grand Union Canal infrastructure within Warwick District, albeit there are references to the walking and cycling infrastructure.

Paragraph 2.2 goes on to refer to the Revised Development Strategy which also includes the proposed infrastructure. We note that the Revised Development Strategy at paragraphs 5.1.17 and 5.3.12 refer to the canal in relation to Cycling and Walking. The inclusion of the canal infrastructure as a requirement for walking and cycling infrastructure improvements is welcomed by the Canal & River Trust. However, we consider that apart from the traditional role of the Grand Union Canal as a system of travel or transport the waterways serve in a variety of roles, including: an agent of or catalyst for regeneration; a contributor to water supply and transfer, drainage and flood management; a tourism, cultural, sport, leisure and recreation resource; a heritage landscape, open space and ecological resource; sustainable modes of transport; and routes for telecommunication. As such, rather than incorporate the canal as part of generic 'walking and cycling' infrastructure, specific projects for the canal should be included.

All of the above functions and the associated infrastructure enhancements to support growth and development need to be taken into account within the evidence base for infrastructure requirements for Warwick District, particularly as the proposed housing allocation at the Former Ridgeway School is adjacent to the Grand Union Canal and Strategic Urban Extension Site (Southern Sites) is in close proximity to the Grand Union Canal.

It is not clear from the document when you intend to collate your Regulation 123 List. We would be happy to work with you to identify projects within the District relating to the canal infrastructure which would support the proposed growth.

If the canal infrastructure projects are not included on the 123 List could we therefore pursue these works via s106 obligations when developments come forward in the District?