BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 108021

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: CEG Land Promotion III (UK) Limited

Asiant : Nexus Planning

Draft Policy 12 identifies three potential sites Land at Red House Farm, Wedgnock Park Farm and JLR allocation at Gaydon. Each potential site is discussed in turn below:
Land at Red House Farm
Land at Red House Farm comprises approximately 121ha of employment land and appropriate use classes could include E(g)(iii), B2 and B8 uses. This site is reliant on the delivery of a new junction to replace the two one-way junctions at Junction 13 and Junction 14 of the M40, as well as changes to the A452 and B4100. Delivery of new or significantly altered motorway junctions is a complex and timely endeavour. Taking account of the necessary steps to delivery which includes approval of various business cases, obtaining necessary permissions, land assembly (including potential for CPO), numerous stages of design, funding and eventual construction the timeframe for delivering infrastructure of this nature is 5-7 years as a minimum. In CEG and its consultant’s experience it is much closer to 10 years. On this basis, CEG has serious reservations regarding the viability and deliverability of the Red House Farm site.
In addition, there is a large area of ancient woodland and Local Wildlife Site is located to the south, also containing a Scheduled Monument. A further Scheduled Monument is also located to the south east of the junction. To the north lies Bishops Tachbrook Conservation Area. The configuration of the motorway junction is considered to be a significant constraint affecting the suitability of this location for large scale commercial development.
In view of the above, CEG have serious concerns regarding the meaningful delivery of this site the within the period up to 2050. Therefore, the SWLP should be looking at alternative locations for employment growth.
Wedgnock Park Farm
Wedgnock Park Farm comprises approximately 141 ha and is located to the west of Warwick. The site falls entirely within the Green Belt. For this reason and when considering alternative options for employment development such as CEG’s site at Land East of Gaydon, Wedgnock Park Farm is not considered sequentially preferable. Notwithstanding, as set out within the draft policy direction, this site relies on a much broader strategy for growth west of Warwick/Leamington therefore in isolation would not be appropriate. It is also CEG’s understanding that existing highways capacity at this site is heavily constrained and would require significant infrastructure improvements to accommodate the level of growth identified.
JLR Allocation at Gaydon
CEG support the inclusion of this allocation within the SWLP on the basis that it is released to the wider market. It is important to draw to your attention the response of JLR to the South Warwickshire Issues and Options (reference
78209) who confirmed that they still require additional space in this location and would only be willing to remove the user-specific nature of the allocation if further land within their control was allocated through the SWLP.
Furthermore, the inclusion of a restriction on B8 unit size should be removed. There is strong evidence that larger B8 units are essential to support the manufacturing sector, and specifically the automotive supply chain, and such a policy restriction would therefore suppress appropriate investment and economic benefits. A restriction on use will impact upon delivery/take up rates as the B2 sector historically makes up only 20-30% of total demand and the inclusion of the proposed restriction as drafted therefore risks the ability for this site to be delivered within the first 5-10 years. This is particularly important as alternative sites cannot accommodate this easily, as outlined previously. A more appropriate policy position would be that a mixture of unit sizes should be provided on the site to meet market demand.
Furthermore, it is considered that the triangular parcel south of the identified employment site boundary should also be included within the allocation, being suitable for a range of uses. It is strategically placed and capable of accommodating small scale development with appropriate buffers to Gaydon. The SWLP through Draft Policy Direction 19 acknowledges the issue of providing affordable residential units at an appropriate scale. It is considered that this specific part of the site can assist in meeting this identified need and therefore should be allocated and included as part of this employment location. Date
07-03