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Objection to Warwick District Council's Local Plan
I strongly object to the proposed local plan, please withdraw it and reconsider what is best for the town and its residents.
There is no need to build so many houses on green field sites south of Warwick for current predictions of the town's population growth. If the plan was to be adopted the countryside would be lost for future generations. The proposed transport mitigation plan would destroy our historic town and crucially the increased pollution would put at serious risk the health of the town's residents.
I have detailed my objections in full below.

1. Proposed development of 3,195 houses on Greenfield land from Gallows' Hill to Europa Way.
Building on green field land south of Warwick would remove the green approach to the town and the green area that divides the town from other conurbations. Proposing 3,195 homes here implies that there are spare resources and facilities for the new inhabitants. Warwick does not have the spare capacity in hospitals, medical facilities, schools, leisure amenities and employment. Therefore a development of this size would require its own independent infrastructure.
2. The extra homes will generate thousands of extra vehicles on the road.
This proposed development is not within walking distance of the town centre so immediately requires inhabitants to drive to access the town's facilities.
The traffic in Warwick is already producing high levels of pollution and congestion in the town especially at peak time, which will be exacerbated by the addition of extra traffic.
Nowhere in the plan are there provisions for extra pedestrian and cyclist facilities within Warwick.
Increased pollution will have a negative effect on residents and visitors to the town.
From personal experience, the average speed of traffic on the Banbury road through to Jury Street and Smith Street at rush hour is often at walking pace or static not 19 miles per hour as stated in the plan.
3. Proposed changes to roads in Warwick to help cope with the additional traffic
The historic bridge over the river Avon from the Banbury road is only able to carry two lanes of traffic and will always be a bottleneck entrance to the town whatever proposed widening of other roads is suggested. This bridge has a weight limit and structurally needs to be protected from excessive use to ensure it remains open at all times.
The main roads to this bridge, the Banbury road and the Myton road, both have large secondary schools on them and the speed limit should be reduced to 20 miles per hour and children's safety increased travelling to school on foot or cycle by proper crossing points. It should not become more dangerous with faster moving traffic, additional lanes and distracting signs.
Increased pollution levels outside the schools also have a negative effect on children's health and ability to learn.
Off the Banbury road there is Bridge End which is a very narrow road in a conservation area with many historical buildings that would suffer from increased pollution. It is essential that both entrances to Bridge End be retained for access particularly of emergency vehicles for the safety of residents and the many timbered buildings.
Beyond the bridge, where many tourists stand to photograph the Castle, is St Nicholas' Park and car park. Safe pedestrian access between the park and castle is essential to encourage visitors and residents of the town. The road here needs wide pavements and slow traffic to keep the pedestrians safe, not the proposed widening, and addition, of traffic lanes. Also vehicle access turning right to and from St Nicholas car park needs improving which would be impossible if the road had extra lanes of traffic.
Adding traffic lights to the Castle Hill Gyratory would not improve the flow of traffic but would destroy the beautiful, historic, view of Mill Street and the Castle entrance.
The right-hand turn from Smiths Street to St Nicholas Church Street ought to be retained as it enables vehicles to re-enter the town if need be.
To improve the flow of traffic in Warwick, all traffic with further destinations needs to be diverted around, and not through, the town.
Free extra parking on the edge of the town with frequent, (every 15 mins) minibuses to the centre of town would also encourage less traffic.
4. Diverting traffic from the new developments away from Warwick town centre
Any large new developments should have new roads built to encourage traffic away from the town unless it is the final destination.
The plan refers to employment being available north of Warwick so priority should be given to taking traffic from the proposed new housing development south of Warwick to this area. Emphasis should be given to taking traffic around Warwick not through it to reach the major networks of motorways and dual carriageways. (M40, A46, M1, M6, M69, etc.)
5. Proposed Traveller's site by Warwick town racecourse
The Warwick town racecourse is already a busy tourist attraction and the leisure area around it is regularly used for walking, golf, etc. and the entrance to the historic Hill Close Gardens. A nearby traveller's site would have an adverse effect on the area making it less attractive to visitors.
A preferred area for the traveller's site suggested in the plan would be the site by the M40 junction which would also benefit the travelling community with good access to the national road network.