Testun llawn:
With reference to the new draft Local Plan, we wish to express our objections as follows:
Wildlife
Increasing the size of the sprawl of Leamington/Warwick is going to have a detrimental effect on the local wildlife as it will push out the wildlife further away from the towns having a negative effect on the eco-systems and peoples enjoyment of the wildlife. The proposed plans do not include enough of a green buffer between the existing developments and the proposed developments.
Potential Flooding Risk
We share the concern that the existing drainage/sewerage infrastructure will not be able to cope with such a high number of additional households. With current climate predictions indicating increased frequency and level of rainfall the risk of flooding to existing and new properties will only be exacerbated. To date Warwick Gates development has not experienced flooding, but if predicted strain on existing drainage results in flooding in this area and is attributed to the new developments, then who will bear the cost of any damage to properties - the Developers or the Council?
Areas of Restraint
The proposed plan is to build on Areas of Restraint. Whilst this may be understandable if it were to be a low number of properties, the proposal of some 4500 new properties makes a mockery of the very concept of an Area of Restraint. Why were these areas of proposed development designated as Areas of Restraint in the first place?
Infrastructure Improvements
If this plan goes ahead, there would need to be improvements made to the existing infrastructure in terms of roads and provisions of services such as schools, hospitals, doctors, shops etc. Who will pay for these improvements? We believe these costs should be borne by the Developers and not left to the tax-payers to fund. The Council must ensure that any commitments given by the Developers are delivered in full.
With the Warwick Gates development the local infrastructure has already had a massive strain placed upon it which it has still not recovered from. Traffic/congestion levels have risen to an almost unacceptable level.
Adding yet more people and cars living in this area will make these so much worse - quality of life is sure to suffer. Any new Development of the size proposed must include a school, Doctors surgery, Post Office and shops, Community Centre and Leisure Centre which are within walking distance of the new properties. It is not acceptable to expect the residents of the proposed developments to have to resort to motorised transport to reach such facilities.
Legal Challenge
The number of houses required that has been proposed by Warwick District Council should be legally challenged immediately so that tax-payers money is not wasted on plans that are likely to be legally challenged themselves on the basis that the number of houses proposed is based on unrealistic forecasts.
Commercial Buildings Land
There are vast amounts of land which has been designated for Commercial Property which have been lying fallow for many years now. Any proposal must address this waste of land by re-designating it for Residential Properties. Where necessary, Compulsory Purchase Orders should be made. More housing should be built on land closer to where businesses are located to reduce commuting by motorised transport.
Schools
Because Warwick Gates doesn't have its own school, this has resulted in children from here going to lots of different schools which has led to increased travelling, congestion and pollution. Another problem is that it has had a negative effect on the sense of community on the estate. Any new development of this size or more would need its own school so these problems are not repeated.
Air Pollution
Levels of air pollution in Warwick are appallingly bad. The proposed plans offer nothing to reduce this and the increased congestion would only make it worse because the proposed plans are just adding to the sprawl with Warwick and Leamington as the nuclei. The existing proposals are unimaginative and simply ratchet up the pressure on two towns which are centuries old and ill able to support more traffic. Warwick District Council should reject the proposed plans and give the developers the challenge of creating new towns or villages within Warwickshire which are self-sustaining, forward looking and fit for purpose in the 21st century.
Please take our comments into account when considering this application.