Gypsy and Traveller Site Options

Dear Dave

Warwick Local Plan consultation - Duty to Cooperate

Thank you for consulting us on a number of documents. Please note that this letter has not yet been formally endorsed by Members, I will confirm for you in due course as this happens.

Revised Development Strategy

We welcome the recognition that the interim housing target is subject to change as a result of the joint SHMA and Duty to Cooperate. We have no comments to make as regards the locations that you are considering for large scale site allocations, notably for housing development. I am sure that we will agree that the scale and location of housing provision is a strategic issue, and we intend to come to a formal agreement between us (including the wider housing market area) in due course following publication of the joint SHMA. We wonder whether the windfall sites allowance is optimistic, given the 'policy on' trend, but anticipate this issue being resolved following the joint SHMA. We do not anticipate any significant direct impact on the infrastructure of Coventry to result from any of your proposed site allocations.

We may wish to consider the relationship between the committed employment schemes of Friargate in Coventry City Centre, Warwickshire Gateway, and the proposed office allocation at Thickthorn, Kenilworth.

Sites for Gypsies and Travellers

The approach being taken, to seek to accommodate the entire projected need for permanent and transit sites, is welcomed as the most responsible way forward. It is not clear to us whether it is intended that a 6-8 pitch, or 12 pitches, be provided on transit site/s.

We have no comments to make with respect to the specific sites that you are considering.

Planning policy for houses in multiple occupation and student accommodation

We note that a substantial number of students attending University of Warwick in particular reside in Warwick District, and further that there are concentrations of shared student housing in south Leamington. You may be aware that we are currently undertaking a rigorous evidence gathering exercise, including evidence from the University of Warwick, about this issue. We note the existence of an "Article 4 Direction" relating to HMO's in the south of Leamington, and have no evidence of any adverse impact of that on Coventry.

The proposed policy criteria set out appear to us to be appropriate and reasonable, and therefore raise no objection.

We look forward to continuing to work together to resolve strategic issues, to our mutual benefit. Should you have any queries, or wish to discuss the content of this letter further, please do not hesitate to contact me.