Gypsy and Traveller Site Options

We wish to register our objection to Option site GT03 & GT04 and do this in light of the following documents:

i. Department for Communities & Local Government document 'Planning Policy for Traveller Sites', March 2012
ii. The Government's good practice guide - designing Gypsy and Traveller sites
iii. National Planning Policy Framework

Planning Policy for Traveller Sites, paragraph 4, demonstrates the government's aim being to ensure traveller sites are developed in appropriate locations (providing accommodation from which easy access can be gained to education, health, welfare, & employment) and strictly limit new traveller site development in open countryside that is away from existing settlements.

The good practice guide, paragraphs 3.7 to 3.12, discusses the relationship of potential sites to surrounding land use and advises that where possible sites should be developed near to housing for the settled community as part of mainstream residential developments.

The National Planning Policy framework goes on to refer to Rural Exception sites, which are 'small sites used for affordable housing in perpetuity, where sites would not normally be used for housing' - are sites GT03 & GT04 classed as these sites? If so, 'these sites seek to address the needs of the local community by accommodation households who are either current residents or have an existing family or employment connection'

Are the proposed individuals current residents, have existing family or employment connections to the area closest to these sites?


In light of these documents we object to the proposed siting of sites at GT03 & GT04

1. Access to a GP surgery, schools & public transport:

- This is outside the catchment of the Harbury surgery and the Warwick Gates Surgery is approx. 2 miles away.
- Outside of the Harbury catchment area for schools & Whitnash Primary School, which is over two miles away, has capacity limitations.
- Public transport is very limited - there is a bus stop on the Harbury Lane for the football pitch but this has a very limited timetable for football match days. This will increase the reliance on private vehicle usage and go against sustainable development.

2. Areas with high risk flooding

- There are variety of areas on this patch of land, given the heaviness of the ground, that are susceptible to flooding and has been seen with the more extreme climate in recent years.
- Harbury Lane is still prone to flooding at various points during the year even after the remedial work carried out in recent times by the County Council and the additional traffic movements that will be added at these times of year will further inflate the problems currently experienced.

3. Safe access to the road network & provision for parking, turning, servicing on site
- No comment to make.

4. Avoiding areas with potential for noise & disturbance
- There is a large intensive broiler site at GT03, which was intentionally sited away from any residential dwellings, so as not to cause any significant nuisance of smell or noise to residents. The broiler site generates an estimated 166 traffic movements in each 10 week cycle - with a number taking place throughout the night which may potentially cause noise disturbance.
- The automated heating & ventilation systems operate 24 hours a day and can give rise to further noise disturbance.
- Odour is generated by the very nature of the process and the original assessment for purposes of the planning permission demonstrated the wind direction generally travelling in an easterly direction which would affect both sites (further information available on request)
- Whilst the land is largely agricultural there is a large industrial area with a reclamation and scrap yard close to both sites which again can lead to noise pollution.

5. Provision of utilities

- Both sites don't have mains sewerage, drainage, gas and water supply (GT03 obtains its water supply is from a bore hole) - this would mean significant infrastructure being required.

6. Avoiding areas where there may be an adverse impact on important, features of natural & historic environment.

- Both sites are very close to the Fosse and with the specific reference to GT03 there may be archaeological remains which need to be investigated
- The visual impact from the Grade 1 listed building, Chesterton Windmill, and Chesterton Hill would be significant to both sites.
- There would need to be considerable landscaping to 'hide' the development from the public view therefore adding to cost of the project and the area of land required. Extensive landscaping was involved when building the broiler site at GT03, suggesting that the same would have to occur in the construction of traveller sites.


7. Sites which can be integrated in to the landscape without harming the character of the area.

- There would be a definite visual impact in the provision of caravans & other vehicles on site from Chesterton Hill and the light pollution generated at night time would affect the rural environment around the site.

8. Promote peaceful & integrated co-existence between the site and the local community:

- The site at GT03 currently only has 1 dwelling, so the proposed 15 pitches would be disproportionate for the current community.
- Given the rural location of this spot and the local town/village of Whitnash & Harbury being over 2 miles away this will be hard to achieve - the properties that are located closest by are spread out and this will be hard to get an integrated existence within the community!

9. Avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure & services.

- There is very limited infrastructure in place currently
- The local surgeries and schools have capacity concerns at the present times.
- There are no street lights nearby and the Harbury Lane poses large risk when walking back/cycling back from anywhere - particularly at night, as there are no footpaths or cycle paths on the Harbury Lane or Fosse Way.

Other issues:

Effect on existing businesses
The Evans family operate 3 businesses from Harbury Lane employing over 35 people. We provide secure storage for domestic and commercial customers. Travellers sites have a perception which could be detrimental to the operation of these businesses. We have already received negative comments from some customers about the potential for a site on GT03 (these have been unprovoked comments from customers who are aware of the current proposals) which is a cause of great concern to us.

Agriculture
Any proposed sites around here will lead to a loss in agricultural land away from the extension to the town in the proposed local plans that are being consulted on.

For these reasons we would urge you to re-consider your proposal to include these areas of land.

Regards

Les Evans

We wish to register our objection to Option site GT03 & GT04 and do this in light of the following documents:

i. Department for Communities & Local Government document 'Planning Policy for Traveller Sites', March 2012
ii. The Government's good practice guide - designing Gypsy and Traveller sites
iii. National Planning Policy Framework

Planning Policy for Traveller Sites, paragraph 4, demonstrates the government's aim being to ensure traveller sites are developed in appropriate locations (providing accommodation from which easy access can be gained to education, health, welfare, & employment) and strictly limit new traveller site development in open countryside that is away from existing settlements.

The good practice guide, paragraphs 3.7 to 3.12, discusses the relationship of potential sites to surrounding land use and advises that where possible sites should be developed near to housing for the settled community as part of mainstream residential developments.

The National Planning Policy framework goes on to refer to Rural Exception sites, which are 'small sites used for affordable housing in perpetuity, where sites would not normally be used for housing' - are sites GT03 & GT04 classed as these sites? If so, 'these sites seek to address the needs of the local community by accommodation households who are either current residents or have an existing family or employment connection'

Are the proposed individuals current residents, have existing family or employment connections to the area closest to these sites?


In light of these documents we object to the proposed siting of sites at GT03 & GT04

1. Access to a GP surgery, schools & public transport:

- This is outside the catchment of the Harbury surgery and the Warwick Gates Surgery is approx. 2 miles away.
- Outside of the Harbury catchment area for schools & Whitnash Primary School, which is over two miles away, has capacity limitations.
- Public transport is very limited - there is a bus stop on the Harbury Lane for the football pitch but this has a very limited timetable for football match days. This will increase the reliance on private vehicle usage and go against sustainable development.

2. Areas with high risk flooding

- There are variety of areas on this patch of land, given the heaviness of the ground, that are susceptible to flooding and has been seen with the more extreme climate in recent years.
- Harbury Lane is still prone to flooding at various points during the year even after the remedial work carried out in recent times by the County Council and the additional traffic movements that will be added at these times of year will further inflate the problems currently experienced.

3. Safe access to the road network & provision for parking, turning, servicing on site
- No comment to make.

4. Avoiding areas with potential for noise & disturbance
- There is a large intensive broiler site at GT03, which was intentionally sited away from any residential dwellings, so as not to cause any significant nuisance of smell or noise to residents. The broiler site generates an estimated 166 traffic movements in each 10 week cycle - with a number taking place throughout the night which may potentially cause noise disturbance.
- The automated heating & ventilation systems operate 24 hours a day and can give rise to further noise disturbance.
- Odour is generated by the very nature of the process and the original assessment for purposes of the planning permission demonstrated the wind direction generally travelling in an easterly direction which would affect both sites (further information available on request)
- Whilst the land is largely agricultural there is a large industrial area with a reclamation and scrap yard close to both sites which again can lead to noise pollution.

5. Provision of utilities

- Both sites don't have mains sewerage, drainage, gas and water supply (GT03 obtains its water supply is from a bore hole) - this would mean significant infrastructure being required.

6. Avoiding areas where there may be an adverse impact on important, features of natural & historic environment.

- Both sites are very close to the Fosse and with the specific reference to GT03 there may be archaeological remains which need to be investigated
- The visual impact from the Grade 1 listed building, Chesterton Windmill, and Chesterton Hill would be significant to both sites.
- There would need to be considerable landscaping to 'hide' the development from the public view therefore adding to cost of the project and the area of land required. Extensive landscaping was involved when building the broiler site at GT03, suggesting that the same would have to occur in the construction of traveller sites.


7. Sites which can be integrated in to the landscape without harming the character of the area.

- There would be a definite visual impact in the provision of caravans & other vehicles on site from Chesterton Hill and the light pollution generated at night time would affect the rural environment around the site.

8. Promote peaceful & integrated co-existence between the site and the local community:

- The site at GT03 currently only has 1 dwelling, so the proposed 15 pitches would be disproportionate for the current community.
- Given the rural location of this spot and the local town/village of Whitnash & Harbury being over 2 miles away this will be hard to achieve - the properties that are located closest by are spread out and this will be hard to get an integrated existence within the community!

9. Avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure & services.

- There is very limited infrastructure in place currently
- The local surgeries and schools have capacity concerns at the present times.
- There are no street lights nearby and the Harbury Lane poses large risk when walking back/cycling back from anywhere - particularly at night, as there are no footpaths or cycle paths on the Harbury Lane or Fosse Way.

Other issues:

Effect on existing businesses
The Evans family operate 3 businesses from Harbury Lane employing over 35 people. We provide secure storage for domestic and commercial customers. Travellers sites have a perception which could be detrimental to the operation of these businesses. We have already received negative comments from some customers about the potential for a site on GT03 (these have been unprovoked comments from customers who are aware of the current proposals) which is a cause of great concern to us.

Agriculture
Any proposed sites around here will lead to a loss in agricultural land away from the extension to the town in the proposed local plans that are being consulted on.

For these reasons we would urge you to re-consider your proposal to include these areas of land.

Regards

Les Evans