Testun llawn:
I refer to the possible proposed Gypsy/Traveller site (GT02) on land abutting the Fosse Way with its junction with the A425 (stated at the B425 - this is in fact an 'A' road).
I very strongly believe that development of this land as a permanent site for gypsies and travellers is totally inappropriate for many reasons:-
1. There is no doctor's Surgery in the vicinity and it is my understanding that the nearest Surgery has stated that they do not have the capacity to take on the number of new patients who would be involved.
If the gypsies/travellers have to travel much further for emergency medical attention - surely there is a health and safety issue here, as their nearest access to emergency treatment would be Accident& Emergency at either Warwick Hospital or University Hospital, Coventry ?
2. Although the local school in Radford Semele could most probably cope with the influx the site would be some distance from the school and one would ask how the children would be able to get to school. This presumably would either be via bus - and I do not believe that there is a bus service that would fit in with school times. The bus stop from the proposed site is on an overgrown grass verge - very dangerous. Additionally for children returning to the proposed site they would have to cross a very busy main road to the bus stop and once there one would feel that it would be dangerous for a considerable number of young children to wait - given that there is only footpath on which to wait.
There is further concern if children were brought to school by car as School Lane is very congested in the mornings when children arrive and in the afternoon when the children leave school. There is no safe area in which to park.
Walking to school would be out of the question as there are no footpaths.
Looking further ahead has secondary education for any such children been considered ? Has any consideration been given to the impact on Secondary Schools in the area as the younger children get older - can these schools cope ?
The Local Plan states that between 7 and 8.4% only of Gypsy/Romany/Traveller children achieve 5 or more A*to C grades in GCSE, whilst 'Gypsies and Travellers - Frequently asked Questions' states that Gypsies and Travellers work in a range of occupations - such as teachers, academics and health workers.
Though this may be the aim for the future - that statement surely cannot be said to be true (based on these averages) for all but the most minute number at present ?
Traditionally gypsy/traveller children finish their education at an extremely young age - that has been their wish and their culture. Surely in moving to a fixed site these people would not wish to lose all of their culture and traditions ?
3. Whilst I am fully aware that we are required to provide fixed sites for gypsies and travellers, I wonder how much consultation there has been with their communities ? Should we really 'mould ' them into our way of life ? Do they truly wish to stop travelling ? How prepared are they that if they adapt a more settled way of life their cultures and traditions will be drastically affected ?
4. Recent history shows the Fosse Way to be an extremely busy road that has had more than its fair share of accidents (more than 12 serious accidents in the past 3 years - some of them fatal). The original road was built by the Romans and has been very popular for centuries, but it remains very restricted and narrow and more traffic on to this road would increase potential dangers.
Should we not be doing all we can to keep this very popular road safe - by not adding a major development ?
5. The area around this junction is rural with beautiful scenery. Putting a major development on the proposed site would completely ruin this aspect of the area. At present there are some rural properties and the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, all of which blend perfectly with the surrounding landscape and are entirely appropriate. The area down to the Fosse Way is a valley and as such can be viewed from many directions.
With the suggestion of this proposed site, the certainty that Radford Semele will have to provide a further 100-150 new houses and the possibility of the HS2 route running very close, this area could cease to be the beautiful rural area it is - completely spoiled.
6. At a recent meeting at the Exhibition Centre we were informed that the site was not regarded as having any historical interest. One wonders how it could be considered that a site which borders the Fosse Way, an original Roman road with many, many sites of historical interest along its whole length lacks historical interest ? There is a known Roman
villa just a very short distance from the site and it would not be unreasonable to assume that there could be further archaeology not far from the villa - in fact the site is on the Archaeological Register with ancient pottery having been found recently. There is also an historic toll from mediaeval times on the site.
Do we really want the development of a Gypsy/Traveller site to endanger all of this
8. Finally and probably most importantly - without question the Exhibition Centre would close with the loss of a very successful business employing many local people and contributing significantly to the local economy (during exhibitions up to 40 jobs are provided for the local community). This Centre contributes around £2m to the local economy, putting 'knock-on' business at risk.
It is our understanding that the number of exhibitions has been steadily increasing year-on-year and that next year there are already 19 booked. With the 'threat' of a possible gypsy/traveller site on the site the Centre has already lost prospective business.
With this fact alone in mind and in the current economic climate how can this site even be given serious consideration ?
I feel very strongly that overall to put the type of site suggested in this specific area can only have a negative effect on the local area, destroying absolutely everything currently on the site and severely impacting on the villages of Radford Semele, Ufton and Offchurch and I would hope that you would take this into account when making your decision on permanent gypsy/traveller sites to be provided in this area.
I wish to object strongly to the development of a permanent gypsy/traveller site on the area designated GT02 in the Local Plan. I would give the following reasons for my objections:-
1. Access to medical services would be difficult - the nearest GP Surgery is not taking new patients and the nearest Accident & Emergency units are either at Warwick Hospital or University Hospital, Coventry.
2. Access to schooling - the nearest school is Radford Semele, but bus journeys would be hazardous with inadequate provision of bus stops with enough room for waiting young children.
Travel to school by car would be no less hazardous as parking in School Lane is stretched to the limits at present.
Walking would not be an option - there are no footpaths.
3. This site straddles the Fosse Way - a very narrow and extremely busy road. The Fosse Way in this area is already well-known for many severe accidents.
4. The area local to this proposed site is in a very beautiful position, in a valley. Currently this is unspoiled and can be viewed from many directions. What would the impact of this site, HS2 and proposed additional local housing have on this beautiful rural landscape ?
5. The entire length of the Fosse Way is of historical interest, not least in this area. With a Roman villa just up the road and many ancient finds in recent years, we should be protecting our heritage.
6. How can we possibly take steps that will without doubt put out of business a very successful exhibition centre. This has gradually been building in popularity over recent years and is a wonderful success story and a credit to this area, helping to support the local economy. To take such steps I would have thought would have been totally unacceptable.
We surely need to do everything we can to support local economy and preserve our own identities as rural villages. I really am totally opposed to site GT02 being chosen as a permanent gypsy/traveller site.