BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 106454

Derbyniwyd: 05/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Mrs Caroline Southall

As a resident of Hatton Park I am objecting to the sheer scale and viability of this proposed site and its proximity to Hatton Park. In particular, I have serious concerns regarding the potential impact of the proposed site on the loss and/or devastation of the Green Belt, the environment, food security and infrastructure. I understand the plans are at a ‘conceptual level’ and I am concerned that they are seemingly computer generated with various erroneous assumptions made which the wider Keep Hatton Rural objection document outlines with evidence.

Greenbelt

The proposed development represents inappropriate development on Green Belt Land which will result in the loss of the openness of the greenbelt. This will lead to urban sprawl in a rural area, undermining the purpose of the greenbelt to prevent such sprawl and protect the countryside. This site does not indicate any natural boundaries which would inhibit expansion or further sprawl. The Green Belt is irreplaceable and necessary for protection against climate change, protection of our wildlife/nature and for people to enjoy the outdoors/wellbeing. This is vital and a major argument against this proposed new development. We should be building on Brown Belt sites and other options before building on Green Belt.

I am also concerned about the impact of our food security and the food chain. The land is currently being used for various food for both humans and livestock. The land in this proposed site is graded three a in terms of agricultural value which means it has a significant benefit in farming and food production. Given the impact of the war in Ukraine and the lack of grains surely we should be preserving land for food and supporting our farmers with food security and not changing the land immeasurably by encouraging them to sell?

Environmental impact

The implementation of a new settlement in B1 could lead to significant environmental degradation in the area. The proposed development site is home to various species of flora and fauna and its destruction will result in the loss of significant biodiversity and degradation of natural habitats. The Plan does not push for significant bio diversity nor is there a plan for blue and green infrastructure or a review of existing infrastructure.

There is insufficient details to how important environmental assets will be protected and enhanced. The Environment Act 2021 Statutory Duties on Councils and this plan does not demonstrate how the Councils across SW will reach 30% of land dedicated to nature and in recovery by 2030 as the Act stipulates.

Infrastructure

A) Roads & Transport

The proposed development under would place an undue strain on the existing infrastructure including roads, schools and healthcare facilities .

The current road and transport network is not designed or fit for such a significant increase in housing and/or industrial/commercial use. Significant changes in terms of widening roads and improving connectivity across flooded lands in order to meet the requirements would be hugely expensive and disruptive to the community. Just to develop a short piece of road to accommodate the new Taylor Wimpey site took 12 months during 2024 with significant impact. Traffic congestion the B1 development proposed will lead to increase traffic exacerbating existing congestion and air pollution in the area. Additionally Highway Safety will be compromised. This will have a detrimental impact on the quality of life for current residents.

Existing road infrastructure is already busy during commuting hours and often becomes clogged when traffic is diverted from the nearby A46 and motorway network. Many of the local roads are single rural roads that flood. The additional housing means that the current road infrastructure would not be able to cope with disruption and would likely fail. The new sites would need to have adequate and appropriate access points which means further harm to the greenbelt and it is unlikely that the connection to existing road infrastructure will be feasible.

The proposed site has 2 train stations but Hatton Station is not fit for purpose with regard to accessibility and parking for such a large scale development and significant changes will be necessary. They will also not be within the 20 minute neighbourhood concept.

B) Utility Services
High density development means significant changes and impact when installing adequate drainage, electrical capacity and water supply to the area.

C) Education

The proposed housing would also play significant burden on the existing local primary school which would not be able to cope with the increase in demand. The current plan does not indicate how much funding would be made available to build a new school and expand the capacity. Additionally, there are concerns regarding secondary school catchment areas.

D) Health

Proposed housing would also place significant burden on the existing local health infrastructure (GPs, Hospitals, Dentists) which would not be able to cope with the increase in demand. The government has recently delayed critical projects to upgrade or rebuild hospitals due to spending cuts. Warwick hospital is already overloaded with waiting times of up to 24 hours in A&E due to supporting other excess patients in the region. To add in another @ 4500 to 8000 dwellings plus commercial/industrial units would mean expanding the existing provision in the region. Warwick hospital is not in the 20 minute neighbourhood concept to walk there from Hatton Park. This scheme would place in an unmanageable burden on existing primary and secondary care.

Impact on local communities

This proposed development threatens to alter the character of the Hatton/ Hatton Park community. It will have a detrimental impact upon residential amenity and the visual impact of the development. A high density development will take up more of the Green Belt. Even though the proposed space allows for landscape, the noise, privacy, light will impact people’s quality of life. Overdevelopment in increasing the size dramatically will lead to the loss of local identity and reduce community cohesion. It will also have an adverse effect on the visual beauty of the area, natural landscape, and Ancient Land.

Sustainability

The proposal does not align with sustainable growth policies. There is a lack of good connection to public transport routes and the proposal would place additional strain on existing public transport links B1/SG07 fails to meet South Warwickshire sustainable development requirements which aim to balance economic growth with environmental protection of social well-being as such this would be unsound and should not be progressed.

Flooding

There are existing flooding problems in the area. It is not clear from the proposed local plan if flood mapping data has been considered and assessed. Drainage in the area is insufficient for the existing housing the proposed development under B1/SG07 could exacerbate these issues leading to an increase of flooding for current or future residence consequently B1SG07would be unsound if progressed

In conclusion I strongly oppose the adoption of B1/SG07 in the South Warwickshire local plan. It is clear that this site would be unsound due to the unsustainable pressures it would place on the local community, local road network, local health and educational infrastructure. I am also concerned that development of these sites would do immeasurable harm to the local environment and wildlife. Furthermore, the whole plan is based on AI conceptual designs rather than fact as it currently stands.

Consequently B1/SG07 should be removed from consideration for many further iterations of the local plan. I hope that the planning authority will take these concerns into account.