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I am writing to put forward my frustration at learning about the proposed gypsy/traveller site at the land abutting the Fosse Way at its junction with the B425 (i.e. Warwickshire Exhibition Centre). To me, it makes no sense that an area that is already in use can be offered for any other purposes! I am informed that if this plan goes ahead it will mean the closure of the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre (WEC). This is ludicrous, there are very few local amenities already in that area so to take away something which I use myself makes me extremely angry. In regards to amenities, there is none in that particular area so how this can provide a sustainable home is beyond me.

I am a local resident at Ufton, my address is below. This is probably one of the nearest villages to the area, as well as Radford Semele. We have very little local amenities, a pub, new village sandwich shop and car showroom. We do not have a school, nor do we have a doctors surgery, nor a functional everyday shop. We already rely on these amenities from other villages, so adding more people to the local population will put massive pressure on an already scarce amount of resources.

Another possible issue that I foresee is that of travel problems, the site is on a high risk route already and since there is no pavement it would only increase this issue tenfold. It does not make financial nor personal sense for the individuals potentially pitching there, they will have no access to amenities, they will be on a dangerous site and have difficulties accessing public transport. To make this area fit for providing a better lifestyle for gypsy/travellers which I am well aware are a disadvantaged group, it would be extremely expensive. It would not just require investment in the pitching area itself but additionally would require investment in schools, GP surgeries, public transport, pavements and road safety, shops etc. Quite frankly I can't think of a more inappropriate area for sustainable living. There are other areas proposed by the new local plan that would better suit the needs of an increased population.

The land abutting the Fosse Way at its junction with the B425 is a very rural area and it is important that we maintain the little pockets of areas that we still have anyway, for the wildlife and for people to enjoy. I would plead with your decision makers to think about the points I've made in this email to see why myself and many others in this area know this is an entirely inappropriate site.