BASE HEADER

Revised Development Strategy
1. The increase in housing estimates from 10,800 to 12,300 is in our view to be without foundation. A detailed and authoritative report produced by Bishop's Tachbrook Parish Council suggests the likely requirement is 5,400 homes, less than half the WDC estimate. The WDC need to re-consider their estimate taking into account the homes required in neighbouring authorities (Coventry; Rugby & Stratford) and rationalise the estimate to be sure there is no duplication of need. Even the proposed 5,400 homes will add over 10,000 people and some 15,000 vehicles to the area which will result in unacceptable traffic congestion and consequent air pollution which is reportedly already illegal in Warwick.
2. Within the WDC estimate, is a figure of 100-150 new homes in Hampton Magna. The existing amenities there are already overstretched and to add an additional 300 people - more than double the population of Hampton-on-the-Hill - will mean they will be unable to cope. Also the single road through the two villages is already used as a 'rat run' by speeding traffic to Warwick Parkway Railway Station and to the M40 Motorway. Indeed more and urgent attention needs to be given to improving the existing transport infrastructure to accommodate the current population.
3. With an estimate of 5,400 homes, no development needs to take place in the villages mentioned in the Plan thereby protecting the Green Belt and the Rural nature of the district which makes it the pleasant place in which to live.
4. We urge the WDC to heed the concerns expressed in the letter from our MP. - Mr Chris White - to Cllr Doody dated 24th June 2013 in which he expresses his concern about the housing estimate and urges the WDC to 'respect the views of local residents.'

Sites for Gypsies and Travellers
The need to provide sites for Gypsies & Travellers has long been ignored by the WDC leading to the reason often given by the travelling community for the illegal occupation of some sites. The requirement is for 31 permanent pitches and 12 transit pitches. Now there are twenty proposed sites amounting to 206 pitches in all which seem to have been selected in a somewhat haphazard manner. We realise that only one or two sites will be selected from the twenty suggested but the number and location of so many sites has caused unnecessary alarm among residents. For example, there are six sites within two miles of Hampton-on-the-Hill.
Site GT 13 at Kites Nest Lane has been the subject of an Inquiry with a decision due in October 2013. How can it be considered a viable site? Site GT 20 is the site of Morrison's compound when the A 46 flyover/M 40 modifications were being constructed during 2009/11. On completion of that work it was offered as a possible site for the travelling community and turned down by the WDC as unsuitable; being too distant from the amenities required by them. How then can it now be regarded as a viable site?
Instead of proposing the twenty sites, why not instead consider housing the 31 pitches on the fringes of the other larger proposed housing developments. In this way the travelling community will have convenient access to the amenities they require.