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ID sylw: 106491

Derbyniwyd: 04/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Caroline Honey

Subject: Objection to House Building- Site Ref 623: Lowes Lane/Walton Road, Wellesbourne (Well.07B)

I am writing to formally object to the planning application for the construction of houses on the field located behind the properties "Long Ground" and "The Old Orchard" along Lowes Lane in Wellesbourne (Site Ref 623: Lowes Lane/Walton Road - Well.07B). I object to this development based on numerous issues that make this site unsuitable for residential development.

1) Flooding Concerns and Flood Zone 3 The field in question is regularly waterlogged, and if developed, would result in significant water runoff along this stretch of the River Dene. It is crucial to highlight that this site is located within Flood Zone 3, which indicates a high risk of flooding. The houses located downhill from the proposed development are already vulnerable to flooding, and the loss of this natural soakaway area would exacerbate this problem. Chapel Street, which has been prone to major flooding in the past 30 years, could see a return of these issues, despite the considerable effort and resources put into flood defences, such as the flood walls and banks funded by the Environment Agency. These vital infrastructure investments could be rendered ineffective by the proposed development, leading to regular flooding events along Chapel Street.

The risks posed by climate change must also be considered. With increasing instances of extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and storms, the likelihood of flooding in this already flood-prone area is expected to rise. The development of this land would remove vital green spaces and natural flood mitigation areas, which would increase surface water runoff and exacerbate local flooding. Given the ongoing impacts of climate change, building in this area could have long-term consequences that would worsen the flooding risks for residents.

2) Inadequate Access The proposed development is expected to house up to 100 units, yet access to the site is via two narrow paths onto Walton Road and Lowes Lane. These paths are only wide enough to accommodate one-directional traffic, which will create significant safety hazards and logistical challenges.

3) Safety Hazard from Increased Vehicle Movements The path onto Lowes Lane is a public footpath (SD121a), frequently used by pedestrians. The movement of vehicles along this stretch of footpath would not only pose a safety risk to pedestrians but also destroy an important route for local people to exercise and walk their dogs.

4) Increased Traffic Congestion The development is likely to generate an additional 200 vehicle movements per day. Lowes Lane and Chapel Street, already congested due to parked cars, will face even greater traffic hazards. Similarly, if access to the site is provided via Walton Road, there will be significant congestion at the point of access for Walton Way, an issue that was previously a key concern for another development (the self-build houses behind Walton Way). The proposed development will place further strain on an already heavily trafficked area.

5) Lack of Pedestrian Infrastructure Sections of both Lowes Lane and Walton Road lack pedestrian footpaths, exacerbating safety concerns for residents, especially parents walking children to the local primary school.Since the new housing estates at Ettington Park and The Grange were built, traffic on Lowes Lane and Chapel Street has already increased. The additional traffic from this proposed development will make it intolerable for pedestrians.

6) Historic and Environmental Significance of the Land This field has been allocated in the Wellesbourne Neighbourhood Plan as "high" in the landscape character sensitivity assessment, due to its rural setting adjacent to the Wellesbourne Conservation Area. It is an excellent and rare example of medieval "ridge and furrow" agricultural land, which should be preserved for its historical value. Developing this field would significantly disrupt the rural character of the area and detract from the visual and environmental integrity of the conservation area. The Wellesbourne Neighbourhood Plan explicitly recognises the importance of preserving such areas for their scenic and historical value, and building on this site would undermine that objective.

7) Unexpected Inclusion in the Consultation This land was not originally mentioned in the Neighbourhood Plan, and it is therefore surprising to see it included in this consultation.

8) Impact on the Character of Chapel Street and the Wellesbourne Conservation Area Chapel Street, with its numerous listed buildings, is one of the last remaining areas in Wellesbourne that retains its historic charm. This proposed building development, would detract from the character of this street and negatively impact the desirability and value of the properties in the area, hugely impacting current residence. This land is on the very edge of the Wellesbourne Conservation Area, where both houses and nature are protected, and this development would have a detrimental effect on the area's character.

9) Strain on Wellesbourne's Existing Infrastructure Wellesbourne's infrastructure is already under strain, with an oversubscribed school, dentists, and healthcare services. There is also no easily accessible train network, making the area increasingly difficult to support further development. The addition of these houses would exacerbate these existing pressures on local amenities and services.

Conclusion The over-expansion of Wellesbourne in recent years has led to increased strain on local infrastructure, and this proposal would only add to that burden. The development of Site Ref 623 would have a negative impact on the historic character of the village, particularly the conservation area, and contribute to environmental degradation. Moreover, the increased risk of flooding and traffic congestion makes this site an unsuitable choice for housing development. Wellesbourne must remain a desirable place to live for current residents, and the potential for negative impacts on their lives should not be ignored.

I urge you to reconsider this proposal and ensure that future developments are carefully considered to balance housing needs with the preservation of Wellesbourne's character, environment, and infrastructure.

Thank you for considering my objections.