BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 107655

Derbyniwyd: 26/02/2025

Ymatebydd: Laura Newberry

LPC opposes SG13

'Overarching principles' of the local Plan include
A healthy safe and inclusive South Warwickshire - footpaths are important, with benefits for both physical and mental health. Use of public footpaths increased markedly during Covid and has continued since .
A biodiverse and environmentally resilient South Warwickshire - The hedgerows, field margins and managed meadows to the south of Lighthorne between the village and JLR test tracks provide habitats for deer, foxes, rabbits, birds on the RSPB 'red list', such as starlings, swifts and house sparrows birds of prey including buzzards and red kites.
The lane between Heath Farm and Wellesbourne Road (not fully shown on the map) is well used by walkers and developing either side could affect the mental health and wellbeing of those who walk there. Towards Wellesbourne Road it is exposed on a hilltop and is the highest point facing northwards so is highly visible for several miles; even as far as Leamington. There are historical ridge and farrow fields within this site.
Excessive light pollution in a rural area near several woods and not good for wildlife.
Local roads are not capable of a large increase in capacity or size of large vehicles. The unlit roads through and around Lighthorne suffer from heavy traffic even now at rush hour.
Encroachment- Gaydon would be swallowed up

Gaydon Lighthorne Heath Group (Strategic growth location). If this went ahead as mooted then taking into account the solar farms already approved or pending approval this new development would result in Lighthorne village being effectively completely surrounded. Any road out would entail either driving past new housing developments or solar farms.

Most of the roads surrounding Lighthorne which would become heavily used by any new developments are small B roads and some are even single lane only. There has been a noticeable increase in traffic using Lighthorne as a through route and the VAR and regular Speedwatch sessions prove at least 10% of vehicles are a min of 16% above the speed limit.

The proposed new development also appears to be built on a large part of JLR’s land which would be detrimental to it’s employment prospects. We question whether this sector can generate and sustain growth sufficient to justify such an intense clustering of potential development. This, plus the proximity to the M40 means strategic growth areas SG13, SG14 and potential new dwellings G1, F2 and F3 all seem to be anchored around Gaydon, which seems disproportionate and unlikely to deliver the sustainable growth and employment needed to justify such an expansion.

SG13 extends southwest through Poolfield Coppice, adjoining Nanchberrow to Lighthorne Road, and northwest through Bishop’s Gorse Farm to Wellesbourne Road. Both these areas are distant from the M40 Junction 12 and would mean heavy traffic passing through Kineton and Lighthorne conservation areas, both of which have unsuitable roads with limited scope for alteration.

This development would also increase the current flooding that occurs in and around Lighthorne, worsening the impact of this for residents and vehicles travelling through the village.

The volume of development around Lighthorne as a consequence of the proposed SG13 in particular risks fundamentally changing the character of the area.

SG13 is at the outer limit of access to the main centres and has no independent infrastructure.

For all of the above reasons we oppose any development at SG13.