BASE HEADER

We wish to object to the Lapworth (Kingswood) Revised Development Strategy and the proposed development of Kingswood Nurseries and Kingswood Farm.

Our objection is based on the following points:

1. The proposed development sites - Kingswood Nurseries and Kingswood Farm
The Land that these proposed sites occupy is not in the parish of Lapworth as the proposal states. They are in fact in the parish of Rowington. As residents of Rowington parish and who live opposite the proposed sites, we have not been notified of any proposed development within the parish of Rowington. We understand that we haven't been notified due to the fact that there is no proposed development for Rowington parish.

2. Flooding
The Environment Agency has previously objected to the development of these sites on the grounds of flooding. A previous application for 11 dwellings was refused due to the risk of flooding in 2004/5. The new proposal for 50+ houses by far exceeds what has previously been refused by the Environment Agency. The land and nearby properties are already subject to flooding and the proposed size and scale of the new development can only serve to exacerbate this. In recent years, the road has become impassable due to the level of flood water from Kingswood brook, which bounds the proposed site. The hairdressers, post office and residential properties opposite and adjacent to the site have all been regularly subjected to flood water.

3. Highways
The Old Warwick Road is designated as a 30mph zone. However, traffic regularly speeds through the village. The proposed site has a hump back bridge to the east and a bend in the road to the west. In addition, there are vehicles parked on the verge and on the highway throughout the day and night, making the proposed access dangerous to both users of the proposed junction and to passing traffic.

4. Retirement / Social Housing
It is unreasonable to suggest that Rowington Parish needs additional retirement / social housing. There are almshouses and retirement bungalows within both Rowington and Lapworth parishes which already meet the needs of local retired people. The fact that there is no real prospect of obtaining a job locally and the fact that there are no local amenities such as a convenience store, chemist or other retail shops would also question the need for social housing especially as there are no frequent public transport links serving Rowington. From firsthand experience, we know that these issues exclude people without their own transport as it makes living in the parish a very isolated and lonely existence. Developments such as this proposal are more suited to areas that have good public transport links and those that have good local amenities.

5. Greenbelt
The proposed sites are both within designated greenbelt land. Under current legislation, greenbelt land is protected from development. By definition, this means that sites that are not greenbelt should be considered and developed ahead of any greenbelt site. It is unacceptable to put forward a development proposal on greenbelt land when more suitable local sites are available without the inherent problems listed above.

6. Village category
We believe that Rowington and Lapworth should not be classed as category one status. They are both small settlements that do not have the infrastructure, services or the environment to support such large-scale development as is being proposed.

We wish our objection to be registered with all future consultation processes and communications regarding the proposed development at Kingswood Nurseries and Kingswood Farm.