Testun llawn:
I have serious concerns about this proposal for several reasons; the first of these is the substantial impact on the local economy that would result.
The Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, which is at present on the site, is a thriving business employing forty people during exhibitions, and is a superb facility serving the area. The owners have invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in developing their business, and in 2012 there were 33,000 visitors to the various events held at the Exhibition Centre. This number is projected to grow as the Centre attracts more events. Clearly this significant number of visitors feeds into the local area, bringing business to local pubs, restaurants, garages and shops. The Centre itself provides a bus service into Leamington, and I have personally met with visitors in Leamington, who were staying at a local hotel, having a meal in a restaurant in town, and planning a shopping trip too. This perfectly illustrates the positive effect the Exhibition Centre has on the local economy, forecast to be £4,000,000 by 2017. I cannot see the logic or justification for allowing a thriving local business to fail, particularly in view of the jobs that would be lost.
I am also concerned about the impact of the proposed site on the historic and rural environment. From the historical perspective, this site is on the Archaeological Register, with ancient pottery having recently been found. Indeed the Fosseway itself, a major Roman road, is recognised on the Archaeological Register by Warwick District Council.
Environmentally, there would be a high visual impact, because the site is in a valley and therefore visible from a wide area. It would not be feasible therefore to shield the site with hedging, and the site would be detrimental to the whole valley, which is one of the main approach routes into Leamington and Warwick.
Considering these concerns, alongside the lack of access to local amenities and the fact that the site is on a High Risk Crash Route, it is my conclusion that this site is totally unsuitable for the proposed Gypsy and Traveller Site.
Please take these comments into consideration when this matter is discussed.