BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 107895

Derbyniwyd: 06/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Richard Adams

I object to housing development in Shipston. Most of the land identified is unsuitable. There will be flooding issues on all land east of the River Stour. The fields have always flooded. This is worsening due to climate change and increasing rainfall. Recent action has allowed the Stour to accommodate more water than previously but the water level rises rapidly during heavy rain and it floods car parks etc close to the old Mill Hotel. Even if the Stour could accommodate extra water it passes this towards Stratford where it joins the Avon. Hundreds more houses will worsen the situation hugely.

Shipston is close to the Cotswold AONB.

Land to the west off Shoulderway Lane should not have been included. Planning Application 15/01478/FUL for 106 dwellings was REFUSED! Read the reasons for refusal and they still apply. Some of the reasons for refusal also apply to land east of the Stour, namely access to Shipston. For cars, the B4035 enters Shipston via a narrow, fragile bridge. Additional traffic would endanger pedestrians. The only alternative is an even narrower and totally unsuitable bridge over the Stour at Honington. People prefer to use their cars even if regular buses are provided. I don't believe they would be.

Additional infrastructure promised following recent large housing developments is still not fully in place. What assurance would the town have of sufficient provision if these 1600 new houses were built? I believe for planning purposes every new dwelling is calculated to produce 2.2 children. 1600 homes therefore require 3520 extra school places. The medical centre is already over capacity. The only NHS dentist is full and won't take further patients.

Shipston has no railway access and limited bus services. New residents will clog up the roads driving to access services elsewhere and go to work. Only limited employment is available in the town. Shipston's Household Waste Site is currently being considered for closure by WCC. There would be fly-tipping if 1600 new houses are built.

The solution if one must be found in the extreme south of the District is to focus on Long Marston.