Testun llawn:
We moved to Hampton Magna 7 years ago for its safe environment, it's countryside location and its community feel. We have experienced all of that and more. My children attend Budbrooke school, a lovely (if a little overcrowded school).
We (my husband and myself) are opposing the building of more houses in Hampton Magna. It would change the community feel of the village to have 25% more houses build on (green belt) land. Currently our children can play safely in the street, you are proposing to make that a thoroughfare for the new housing. The village has a lovely and active community. We felt welcomed when we moved here and have attended many activities in the area, such as the toddler group (a very large group). The community is small enough to feel a part of and many people have lived here all their lives. I know most of my neighbours and we rely on each other for help, cups of sugar etc. Adding another 150 families would change that dynamic completely.
The village services are already over stretched. The road infrastructure is inappropriate for more vehicles due to the single lane entry under the railway bridge and narrow country roads from the other direction.
The school is oversubscribed. My youngest son is already being forced into a class of mixed reception/year one children where he will be one of 6 yr1 children who are 'left-over' from the class and a half of yr1 children. This is due to the school being over-subscribed and taking more than the 45 a year they can cope with. Although ONE extra classroom is being built this is to cope with the 35+ children there are in each class in KS2. I spoke to a representative in Sainsbury's when this house building idea was first raised and was told that they have extended Newborough to cope with the overloading of Budbrooke, however I am told that they have people on their waiting list for next academic year.
I often walk in the fields with my children. It is a beautiful part of the country. I am upset that the local authority are suggesting that green belt land can be redefined at whim. Central government policy is that it should only be used in 'exceptional circumstances'. This does not appear to be the case given the continuing uncertainty over housing needs. Our green belt land has already been eroded several times in the building and continuous expansion of Warwick Parkway. Also the building of Chase Meadow, the long bridge island flyover (horrendous increase in traffic noise), Hatton Park etc.
In summary, I like where we live. It has a community, a good but over-stretched school, beautiful surroundings and is where we would like to stay. Unless it is spoilt by blending it into Chase Meadow, Warwick and who knows where else.