Testun llawn:
Local Plan
We object to the choice of Milverton and Blackdown as preferred sites for new housing because:
1. They are in the Green Belt and specifically in the narrow Green Belt between Kenilworth and Leamington. There cannot be shown to be a need to build here as there are other sites not in the Green Belt which are available.
2. There is an obligation to prevent urban sprawl and allowing development in this area, for which there are already several large developments proposed (Coventry Gateway, HS2, continuing development at the University, Stoneleigh Park and Abbey Park) would destroy the valuable rural environment which maintains the spatial integrity of the small villages (Leek Wootton, Hill Wootton, Old Milverton, Stoneleigh, Ashow and Stareton).
3. The proposed new road necessitated by the developments would negatively impact the area towards Guys Cliffe. In a period of Council cut backs one would need to question the wisdom of proposing such a costly project especially when considering how much the Rugby relief road ran over budget.
4. A traffic model to consider the combined impacts of all the developments proposed for this area is urgently required before any of them are given the go ahead. We are advised that this has not been carried out. The traffic congestion in Stoneleigh is already unacceptable at peak times and this must be taken into consideration before any further development in the greenbelt is permitted.
We object to the size of the proposed development at Thickthorn.
1. Whilst it has long been acknowledged that the area up to the A46 would be a possible location for housing, the extension of this site to now include the Rugby Club and the cricket club land is not acceptable. It is essential that these facilities remain close to the population to permit access by foot and cycles and to reduce the need for motor car use.
2. There have been problems with flooding in Ashow caused by the run off from the existing housing on this side of Kenilworth and the drainage off the A46. Measures proposed to solve this existing problem have still not been fully implemented. Further development, on any scale, cannot be permitted until a full assessment of the drainage requirements has been carried out.