BASE HEADER

Dear Sir,

RE: Response to the Draft Gypsy and Traveller Site Options
My comments relate to sites GT3, GT4, GT5, GT6, GT9, GT10 and GT15.

I note with concern the disproportionate number of site options selected in the Bishop's Tachbrook boundary. While I understand the need for Warwick District Council to provide 31 pitches for the gypsy and traveller community it appears unreasonable that the rural community of Bishop's Tachbrook should have been selected for such a significant number when considering the size of the search area.
I do not believe that the 6 sites selected within Bishop's Tachbrook meet the site criteria set out in the Site for Gypsy and Travellers Consultation document and have set out my reasons below.
It appears that a large number of the potential site have been positioned along the motorway. I understand the need the Gypsy and Traveller Community to have access to good transport links but I don't believe that access to the motorway network is a key requirement. As stated in consultation document, the traditional lifestyle of this community means they prefer to live and work in the same location. It also states that the sites are to be permanent settlements and therefore I don't believe access to the motorway network is a key requirement of the Gypsy and Traveller Community.
Site 3 and 4 - object;
This site is very remote from local amenities such as schools, GP practices and public transport. As stated above, the traditional lifestyle of the Gypsy and Traveller Community often means they will live and work in the same location. They are not likely to have access to reliable transportation and a site that is not within walking distance of these essential amenities is not suitable for their needs. There is also no pedestrian access to these site, meaning access to public transport would be dangerous, which is my view is unacceptable.
The school in Bishop's Tachbrook is operating to capacity. A Department for Education and Skills (2005) report, Ethnicity and Education: The Evidence on Minority Ethnic Pupils, reports that gypsy, Roman and traveller pupils are more likely to be identified as having special educational needs. Bishop's Tachbrook primary may not be able to provide the infrastructure required to support these needs when it is already operating at capacity.
The site should be located in areas that avoid high risk of flooding. The Environment Agency designates this area as being at likely risk of flooding from rivers or sea without defences. There are a number of streams criss-crossing this area. The Tach Brook runs nearby which provides additional flooding risks.

Site 5 and 9 - object;
The only access onto site 5 and 9 is a very busy road, there is no pedestrian access;. this is completely unsuitable. Pedestrian access is a key requirement of the Gypsy and Traveller Community, not only to meet their lifestyle needs but to be able to be able to reach the key amenities that they need. It will also add to the sense of isolation and prevent the Gypsy and Traveller Community from integrating into the local neighbourhood. The consultation document highlight the link between the disadvantages the Gypsy and Traveller Community face and the shortage of good quality Gypsy and Traveller sites and I believe that a site without pedestrian access does not meet the requirement of a suitable site and will not solve the problems of disadvantage that the legislation is trying to prevent.
Historic Warwick is a major tourist attraction and brings great benefits to the local economy through the revenues that tourism brings. A Gypsy and Traveller site on the approach to Historic Warwick is not in keeping with the local surroundings and will have a negative visual impact on the on this area. The approach to Historic Warwick gives visitors a perception about the area and a negative visual impact may decrease tourism and have a very damaging affect on the local economy.
The site also contains listed buildings. I believe it is very important to preserve these building and their surrounding area and I believe that the visual impact a Gypsy and Traveller site will have will cause a detrimental impact on this area.
The school in Bishop's Tachbrook is operating to capacity. A Department for Education and Skills (2005) report, Ethnicity and Education: The Evidence on Minority Ethnic Pupils, reports that gypsy, Roman and traveller pupils are more likely to be identified as having special educational needs. Bishop's Tachbrook primary may not be able to provide the infrastructure required to support these needs when it is already operating at capacity.
Site 6 - object;
The only access onto site 6 is a very busy road, there is no pedestrian access; this is completely unsuitable. Pedestrian access is a key requirement of the Gypsy and Traveller Community , not only to meet their lifestyle needs but to be able to be able to reach the key amenities that they need. It will also add to the sense of isolation and prevent the Gypsy and Traveller Community from integrating into the local neighbourhood. The consultation document highlight the link between the disadvantages the Gypsy and Traveller Community face and the shortage of good quality Gypsy and Traveller sites and I believe that a site without pedestrian access does not meet the requirement of a suitable site and will not solve the problems of disadvantage that the legislation is trying to prevent.
This site is also very remote from main centres. As set out in the consultation document the disadvantage that this group faces is due to the poor provision of suitable sites with access to amenities such as schools and GP practices. This site is not suitable as these facilities are not within easy access and will prevent the Gypsy and Traveller Community from accessing the services that are vital to reduce the disadvantage.
The school in Bishop's Tachbrook is operating to capacity. A Department for Education and Skills (2005) report, Ethnicity and Education: The Evidence on Minority Ethnic Pupils, reports that gypsy, Roman and traveller pupils are more likely to be identified as having special educational needs. Bishop's Tachbrook primary may not be able to provide the infrastructure required to support these needs when it is already operating at capacity.
Site 10 - object;
This site is located very close to the M40. As set out in the consultation document the sites selected should avoid areas where there is potential for noise disturbances. The level of noise pollution at this site would be very high and the accommodation favoured by the Gypsy and Traveller Community will not have suitable defences against this noise. The noise caused by the motorway continues throughout the night and it will lead to a poor quality of life if located in this area.
The site is also very close to the Guide Bogs for the Blind National Breeding Centre.
The site is not within walking distance of supermarkets, a town centre or any other essential amenities. The small rural community of Bishop's Tachbrook does not have a school that is suitable to accommodate the extra 20 to 30 children that could be living at this site as the school is already at capacity. The village only has 1 shop which supplies only basic essentials and is not suitable for a family to use as its main weekly shop. The facilities within walking distance are not suitable for the Gypsy and Traveller Community and I believe that they will require these amenities within walking distance if they are to live in the traditional lifestyle.
The school in Bishop's Tachbrook is operating to capacity. A Department for Education and Skills (2005) report, Ethnicity and Education: The Evidence on Minority Ethnic Pupils, reports that gypsy, Roman and traveller pupils are more likely to be identified as having special educational needs. Bishop's Tachbrook primary may not be able to provide the infrastructure required to support these needs when it is already operating at capacity.
Site 15 - object;
This site is located on the bank of the Tachbrook. The Gypsy and Traveller Community wish to live and work in the same location and therefore it is very likely that the Tachbrook will become contaminated if this is used as a place of work. I believe this is unacceptable.
I don't believe this site would meet the criteria that states that site should be integrated into the local landscape without harming the character of the area. Bishop's Tahbrook is a small rural community and this site, if selected, would not visually integrate into the local landscape. At present this site is a picturesque area at the entrance to the village, this is something that should be protected.
The school in Bishop's Tachbrook is operating to capacity. A Department for Education and Skills (2005) report, Ethnicity and Education: The Evidence on Minority Ethnic Pupils, reports that gypsy, Roman and traveller pupils are more likely to be identified as having special educational needs. Bishop's Tachbrook primary may not be able to provide the infrastructure required to support these needs when it is already operating at capacity.
Bishop's Tachbrook;
Bishop's Tachbrook is a small rural community with one primary school that is operating at capacity, a small GP branch surgery with very limited opening hours and very limited access to other amenities. I don't believe this area is suitable to meet the needs of the Gypsy and Traveller community.
The documentation provided by the council does not sufficiently outline the impact that the site would have on the local community. The documentation provides guidance about the Gypsy and Traveller community and the disadvantages they face but does not state what impact this would have on the local area. However, I note from the consultation document that the sites selected should promote peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community and there is very strong local opposition to siting a gypsy and traveller site in this location as evidenced by the local meeting held on 17th July 2013.