Testun llawn:
We wanted to provide some general feedback on the plethora of information available related to the New Local Plan Preferred Options Consultation. Having attended two meetings in Hampton Magna we are aware of some of the issues that residents are concerned about. We will aim to outline the main issues below and also include our own personal thoughts. However, these are not exhaustive and we should strongly encourage you to speak to your representatives, who attended all of your meetings, to get their feedback on issues that were raised.
Evidence base
We are extremely concerned that the available documents are not fully engaged in "evidence-based" consultation. Specifically, it is our concern that there are limitations in the methodology being used to develop this Local Plan Preferred Options Consultation. This is an important foundation to any research, report and future recommendations. The consultation documents lack transparency in terms of the employed methodology. For example, we strongly encourage you to document how you plan to utilise the information gathered at meetings across the district. This is a valuable opportunity to gather qualitative evidence on people's acceptability, satisfaction and attitudes towards the plans. There has been a lot of frustration voiced at meetings related to the apparent failure to consider, appreciate, and operationalize people's views. There is a need to inform people how their views are going to be considered and synthesised to inform your decisions. For example, large scale questionnaires have been undertaken with residents by local parishes (Hatton Park and Hampton Magna) which provide valuable information. People need to feel listened too. It is important you allow people to voice their opinions and acknowledge how they will be considered. You need to empower people. Your research will then be richer and more representative.
We are extremely concerned about the generalizability of your research to date. We strongly encourage you to work more closely with academic departments like Warwick Business School, Warwick Medical School and the Economics department at the University of Warwick. There are clear weaknesses in the rigour and robustness of your methodological approach and evidence base which need to be considered again. Collaborating with an academic department will help overcome some of these problems. They will help with economic modelling, operational research and mixed methodological approaches. How you synthesise the data you collect is crucial. If you have lots of meetings and don't report the views at these meetings then your data gathering is confounded. You may want to host smaller focus groups in different areas, recording information, and thematically analysing the common issues. This is rich qualitative evidence which appears not to have been considered.
Housing in smaller villages:
From a personal point of view we need to express our disapproval over expanding housing in smaller villages like Hampton Magna, Hatton Park and Shrewley. There is considerable worry and upset among residents who live in these areas about potential increased housing on these sites. This would significantly impact on their quality of life. These small communities are already overburden by through traffic and schools are at capacity. Please work closely with parishes and residents before considering any expansion in these areas. They have a good insight into the wealth of issues that you would need to factor into your financial plans to enable these smaller developments to take place.
If some growth does go ahead, the standard of this housing needs to be inkeeping with the housing already in place in these areas. Residents are extremely concerned about the impact this will have on the prices of their existing properties.
Schools and early year care:
More housing does seem to take president in the new consultation. There needs to be greater focus on how schools will be expanded. For example, as you are aware, Budbrooke Primary is at capacity and it takes children from Chase Meadow & Hatton Park. The Ferncumbe Primary School at Hatton is over capacity. How much expansion is needed? Please provide projected statistics of how much expansion will be required in the local schools to accommodate the foreseen housing growth.
Early-year care needs careful consideration at an affordable price. Already many nurseries are at capacity or in considerable demand. The costs are also unmanageable for many parents wanting to return to work after maternity leave.
Respecting our green spaces and green belts:
These need to be respected and the natural habitats for our wildlife maintained. Housing on green belts has resulted in considerable frustration and objection at meetings we have attended, in particular that around smaller villages. Consult with residents please. Muntjac deers, bats, birds of prey reside just outside my property and we are sure that we are not the only people to be fortunate to have this natural beauty around them. Protecting our natural flora and fauna is important.
Transport:
Expanding our road networks is going to be important to deal with the increasing cars on our roads. We also need to consider the impact this will have on noise and air pollution for residents already residing in places of growth. How will this impact on their quality of life? Consult with residents please.
Public Transport:
There needs to better public transport in areas of expansion. More regular bus services, in particular, to train stations and Universities are needed.
Parking:
More affordable parking in town centres and at train stations are urgently needed,
Drainage:
We are extremely concerned about how the current drainage system will cope with expansion. The costs this could involve should not be overlooked. For example, only a small expansion in villages could cause considerable problems (e.g. Hatton Park). Caution is needed and careful mapping of the current foundations is essential.
Employment:
Greater housing expansion requires more employment. Expansion in the health, retail and educational sector presents good opportunities.
Emergency services:
An increase in the population of the District will lead to an increased need for community policing and an increase in the number of local "incidents" to which the policing service will be required to respond. We need to make sure residents are protected from crime.
Healthcare:
Ensuring that GP surgeries and hospitals can cope with the housing expansion will be of upmost importance. GP surgeries are already struggling to cope.
With the exception of the smaller housing growth in the villages highlighted and the issues raised related to evidence base and research methodology, we feel the proposed plans are worthy of further consideration and community engagement.