BASE HEADER

Town's Position
Kenilworth is situated in close proximity to the boundary of Coventry and in places, the Green Belt is less than 600 metres wide. The protection of the Green Belt as a whole, and in particular on the Coventry border, has always been a matter of great importance to the Town Council and it has made this a priority over a number of previous Local Plan consultations.
The population of the Town has grown by 140% in the last 40 years and this has led to the whole of the available land within its boundaries being used for additional housing. This has included in recent years land zoned for employment, as the District had accepted that there was no demand for some of the existing employment land.
Given the tremendous increase in population and the lack of demand for employment land, it was the view of this Council on the previous (subsequently withdrawn) consultation on the preferred options, that there was a clear case for there being no further development within the Town. This was vitally important, as any development that was allowed had to be on the Green Belt surrounding the Town. Those arguments are, we believe, still valid, especially as it is apparent from the Options paper that there are areas of land within the District that are not within the Green Belt, but which it does not intend to zone for development.
The Preferred Options do include land available for development that is not within the Green Belt. It is the Council's view that this should be reflected by requiring the phasing of developments to ensure that non Green Belt land is developed first. In this way, the existence and benefits of the current Green Belt would be extended.
District Council Position
The Town Council does, however, recognise that the District has put forward arguments, supported by the SHLAA and SHMAA surveys, that the Town does require now, and in the next 20 years, a certain amount of housing and employment land, for it to remain sustainable and viable; these will inevitably be in the Green Belt. It further appreciates that, if such developments were to be allowed to proceed, then it is necessary and essential that these should be carried out in the right place and subject to regulation that would enhance the Town and not damage it.
It is further aware, and accepts that it is the view of the District Council and the surveys carried out, that this would mean the addition of some 700/800 houses and provision for employment land and that it proposes that this development should be in the Thickthorn area.
Town Preferences
So that it assimilates better into the Kenilworth community, it is the Town preference that development of such magnitude should be distributed instead of being concentrated on one site. Such an approach would also assist in alleviating the disruption to the town's infrastructure that the planned block development would create.
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With this in mind, we have considered a variety of sites within the Town and since the areas available are all within the Green Belt, have tested those sites on the basis that the following requirements should be met:
1. It must be capable of being protected from further extension by having clear and defendable boundaries.
2. There should be clear separation from any other urban areas so as to avoid ribbon development.
3. It should be capable of having easy access to the Town.
4. It should complement the local community and not form a separate entity.
We applied these tests to the sites we had identified. Overall, we concluded that they would suffer from the major problem, not only of incursion into the Green Belt, but also of lacking defendable boundaries for the future.
Preferred Option Land
We also considered the Thickthorn site on the same requirements basis as described above.
This site has for many years been in danger of exclusion from the Green Belt. On all previous occasions, development has been opposed by the Council because of the danger of opening up the whole of the area bounded by Kenilworth, the highway and Stoneleigh Road.
Our view in regard to this site was as follows:
1. The northern extremity of the proposed development area is shown as the northern boundary of the Wardens Cricket Club. This was felt to be too far in a northerly direction, whilst there was no clear and defensible boundary to protect the Green Belt from further incursion to the north.
2. It would result in the loss of the Cricket Club and Rugby Club and its four training pitches, with the need to relocate them in the Green Belt if they are not to be lost to the Town.
3. This would also effectively double the loss of Green Belt in the Town area if, as we would wish, they were relocated adjacent to the Town.
4. The roads serving this area are subject to considerable congestion now. The addition of perhaps 700/800 houses and business use would add considerably to an existing problem, especially at the Thickthorn Junction, which is a major access point to the Town and its main connection to the dual carriageway.
Whilst we would not wish this area to be developed, we appreciate that the District has this in mind and, if development is to take place in that area, then it would be essential that:
1. The development should terminate at Rockey Lane in order to have a clearly defensible boundary.
2. This would allow the Rugby Club to relocate its number one pitch and Club house to the Cowpatch (being the field to the north of Rockey Lane) and the Cricket Club to
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remain in its current location, which it is understood, would be the Cricket Club's preference. These two grounds within the Green Belt, together with Rockey Lane, would then serve as buffer to development, as well as providing for open space and retaining the very important sporting facilities they provide for the Town.
3. We are aware, however, that the Rugby Club would have difficulty in relocating all of its facilities onto the Cowpatch.
4. If, in those circumstances, it was felt that the inclusion of the Cowpatch should be allowed then the protection of the Green Belt required by the Town Council could be obtained by the dedication of a public open space adjacent to the Cricket Club's southern boundary. This would not only protect the Green Belt but also act as protection to the Cricket Club from being too close to housing.
5. The inevitable traffic congestion at the entrances to this area require very specific planning provisions and, without definitive assurances in the Plan not to increase vehicular movements along Glasshouse Lane West and Birches Lane, then the Town Council would object to the site as a whole
6. There would be a clear need for road improvements at both the Leamington Road and Dalehouse Lane junctions to ease traffic flows. These would need to include the widening of Leamington Road, certainly in the area of the junction, and perhaps the widening of the slip road into the junction, allowing for traffic from the new estate direct access to the highway. Likewise, careful attention would be required at the Dalehouse Lane junction in order to have the same effect and the provision of an island should be considered to ease traffic flows at that access point. Having regard to the importance of these matters, it should be a condition of any development that the road works are carried out in accordance with traffic surveys and a modelling of the effects of the development should be carried out in advance.
7. The internal roads and infrastructure of the area will be equally important. Having regard to the size of the proposals there is a real danger of it being developed piece meal and by different developers. This could lead, as elsewhere in the Town, to the overall theme being distorted. It should therefore be built into the Plan that there should be an overall planning brief agreed before any development is started and that this shall be carried through.
8. Any development on the site would need to meet the requirements of the Plan for Garden Town type layouts, together with the need for the provision of open space, and a road layout that complements these requirements.
9. We feel it will also be necessary to make provision for a Primary School. For the purposes of safety and sustainability, this should be within the site thus allowing children to walk to School where possible.
10. The Local Plan presents an opportunity to include an Inset Plan that takes into account all these requirements. The Planning Department of Warwick District Council should provide a brief on the basis of these requirements, which should form part of the Plan, to assist in the development of the site as part of the local community and a complement to it.
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Effects on the Local Community
These must be taken into account, as the presence of the Town and its facilities are the main reason for making this area so attractive for development and will have a huge effect on its value.
In these circumstances, it is essential for facilities to be expanded and improved to cater for the new development as well as easing the strain on those already existing. This requirement will not only benefit the existing community, but also conserve those facilities and make the Town more attractive.
With this in mind we would expect that funds arising from the development should be provided to help the aspirations of the Town for the expansion of the Civic Centre to include all facilities, including a Theatre.
Further the introduction of 700/800 houses, whilst making the Town Centre more viable, will increase the burden on the Town Centre car parks and would merit the construction of a car park similar to the Waitrose model, namely one and a half storeys.
It will also require the provision of addition medical services by way of at least one more Doctor accompanied by the nursing services that the Surgeries now provide. This will mean that both surgeries serving the Town will require some extension. There will also be further pressure on the Clinic, which will require enhancement to enable it to serve the additional population.
The Rugby Club
The Rugby Club is a very valuable asset to the Community and if it is to be relocated then it is essential to the community that this is adjacent to the Town. This could provide an opportunity for the District to make provision for it at Castle Farm. The opportunity for joint working with the Club could provide an enhanced sporting offer that not only includes Rugby and the current pursuits, but also an Athletics Track. There would be a need to increase the area of the sports centre and this would fall within the Green Belt. It would, however, be immediately adjacent and accessible and to some degree within the Town. The increase of this existing use within the Green Belt would complement the Town.
Open Spaces
There is a need to increase the area of accessible open space within the Town. This is a matter that must also be addressed within the Plan. Whilst the Abbey Fields and Castle Farm and the Common give an impression of the Town enjoying a great deal of open space, Kenilworth does not enjoy as much open space as the other Towns within the District. Even taking into account the Play Area at Burton Green and Crackley Woods, both of which are outside the Town, the area available per 1000 of the population is 4.42 hectares as against the District average of 5.46 hectares and the Proposed Minimum Standard in SPD of 5.66 hectares.
Allotments
The Town and its Community enjoys several allotment gardens that not only provide an ability to grow vegetables and fruit for home consumption, but also the opportunity to enjoy outdoor exercise and recreation, whilst at the same time providing an additional open space for the community.
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The allotments are invaluable to the town and extremely popular, confirmed by the waiting list of 200 applicants, despite additional plots being provided in the last few years. It is essential therefore that an allocation of allotment land be found within the plan to meet and encourage this demand, especially as it will provide the further benefit of further open space.
This problem must be addressed in the new development and for the Town as a whole in the Plan. The provision of additional open space at Castle Farm would be a very useful additional contribution.
The Mere
We are awaiting the results of the feasibility study for the renewal of the Mere adjoining the Castle. This exciting project, adjoining an internationally recognised heritage site, would bring increased economic benefit into the area, as it would make the Town a National Tourist attraction with its Castle and Mere. Further, the additional amenity would enhance the open space available to the community and visitors.
Abbey Fields
Overview. The Abbey Fields are and have been for many years an invaluable centre for peaceful, open-air recreation that is easily accessible from all parts of the Town. We would stress that any Plan affecting the Town should ensure that no encroachment should either be allowed or envisaged. It was, and always has been, used for recreation for the community and children and any intrusion will conflict with those uses. No vehicles or cycles should be allowed within its confines other than for the provision of essential services or maintenance.
Cycle Routes through Abbey Fields. The Town Council would object strongly to the provision of a cycle route through the Fields, as this is contrary to the use envisaged for the fields since they were dedicated to the Town. Furthermore, it would be contrary to the byelaws that currently protect them from such use and which were imposed for the sites protection. Any such intrusion would inevitably conflict with people using the paths and the many children seeking recreation in the Fields; it would be impossible to police from abuse.
The Abbey Fields Play Area. The Council would, however, see some elements of evolution of the current usage as being advantageous and in keeping with the original grants. The Children's Play Area is in need of renovation, as is accepted by the District. When this is able to proceed, it is suggested that this would be an ideal time to reposition it on the bowling green area, which has been redundant for many years. This would provide a secure area for the Play Area and the existing Pavilion could be used as a shelter for accompanying parents. A further benefit of the secure area thus provided would be the exclusion of dogs from the play area.
The Play Area released by this relocation would allow for the expansion of the picnic area adjoining and the provision of a more formal site for the periodic Band Concerts. This would provide a better facility for the community and its visitors and be a better use of the Fields without in any way damaging them or being contrary to the original gift and purpose. It would also enhance the setting of the Barn Museum and improve it as an attraction.
Abbey Fields Car Park. The Town Council has considered and approved the proposed resurfacing of the car park in the fields, subject to such work complying with the advice of English Heritage to protect the underlying monument, and work being included to protect the trees in the Lime Walk.
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The trees form an invaluable asset to the Fields. Relocating the boundary of the parking area away from them and releasing the compaction around their roots caused by parking will improve their life span, although this raises the issue of their age. During the currency of the plan, preparations must be made for their replacement and the preservation of this beautiful part of the Abbey Fields. This should form part of the Plan, as the future of the Walk must be assured for future generations.
The existence of the car park does, however, affect the drainage of the meadow below it and this must be addressed. The meadow below, a very important part of the fields, currently suffers from bad drainage and frequent flooding. This must be improved to increase the recreational use of the area.
Civic Centre
It has been the joint wish of the Town and the District Councils to develop a Civic Centre in Smalley Place. This has begun to take place over the last few years with the relocation of the One Stop Shop to the Library and, latterly, the Town Council, MP, and Town Centre Development Manager, as well as the local Safer Neighbourhood Police Office, to Jubilee House.
It is the clear desire of the local authorities that this process will continue, in the hope that all the services required by the Public shall be available from that site or at least accessible. Further, we would like to see the relocation of the Talisman Theatre to the same area on the basis that this would also provide a venue, not only for the theatre, but also perhaps for use as an occasional Cinema and Meeting Hall in the centre of Town. The relocation of the Theatre would also provide a site for further housing.
There would also be the opportunity for the relocation of the Clinic into Jubilee House. This would provide patients and staff with enhanced accommodation and at the same time release its current site for redevelopment in accordance with the overall plan for the centre. An arrangement of this type would be in keeping with the objective of providing all services to the Community on one site and at the same time would lead to cost savings for the public purse.
This plan would, in our view, be an ideal project to seek support from the monies arising from the developments envisaged in the Local Plan. These facilities will complement and improve the facilities that the Town already enjoys, but would also be available to the persons who relocate to the new areas of the town.
Fire Station
The provision of employment land at Thickthorn could perhaps provide an opportunity to relocate the Fire Station as its current situation is not ideal. Its relocation at Thickthorn would provide an opportunity to build a full-time Station that would be easily accessible to the whole District along the existing and adjacent routes. This would be an advantage to the public purse as this could easily serve the whole District and release the current sites for other purposes.
Schools
As mentioned previously, it will be necessary for a Primary School to be provided for the children of the 700/800 houses likely to be built on the site and this must be provided within the development.
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There will also be additional pressure on the Secondary School at Kenilworth School and it will be necessary for this to be enhanced for that purpose. Kenilworth School is presently housed on two sites, with the Sixth Form located in Rouncil Lane. This might, therefore, be an opportunity for the Sixth Form to be relocated to Leyes Lane and the other site utilized for housing, as it has access already on to local roads and much of the school site is not used. The income generated would provide an opportunity to reinvest and enhance our Secondary School.
Further, the release of this area for housing would compensate for the loss of the area from the Cricket Club from the Preferred Option Plan area.
Railway Station
Finally, Kenilworth has a population in the region of 25,000 and as such must be one, if not the only Town of this size in the country, which does not have the benefit of a Railway Station. Warwickshire County Council has prepared a strong business case for the reintroduction of a Station upon the former station site at the junction of Waverley Road and Priory Road. The additional population that will result from the new development proposals can only strengthen the case already made for a new Station; the Council feels strongly that the suggested site should be included in the Plan. Additionally, it should be shown as a major objective of the Plan and an essential part of its future sustainability.