Testun llawn:
We are writing in response to the consultation on the Local Plan - Village Housing Options and Settlement Boundaries November 2013.
1. We have not yet seen a robust reasoning in response to the LPRDS consultation for the significant increase of new housing estimate to 12,300 homes. For any consultation to be meaningful, the objection from the community warrants at least an explanation by the Council on why the LPRDS is going ahead as it is.
2. The proposed increase of up to 150 new homes in Hampton Magna is likely to result in some 300 additional residents to the village. We are concerned that the existing amenities and infrastructure cannot absorb this increase without significant improvement. To name just a few:
* Budbrooke Primary School is already oversubscribed;
* the single access road through Hampton Magna and Hampton on the Hill has seen increasing traffic in recent years due to the development of Warwick Parkway Station and its is often used as a "rat run" of speeding traffic to Warwick Parkway station and the motorway links;
* The sewage system is already at capacity and there are a number of areas in Hampton Magna and Hampton on the Hill which are prone to flooding.
These issues must be addressed first if any further houses are to be built in the area.
3. It is essential to preserve the rural character and green belt area of Hampton Magna and Hampton-on-the-Hill. This area has already been significantly affected by the development of surrounding road and motorway networks, the railway link at Warwick Parkway as well as Birmingham International Airport. The residents have long suffered increased traffic from these developments and noise and air pollution and, the District Council has a duty to consider carefully the impact of the proposed new housing and not to devastate this area further.
4. If further homes are to be built in Hampton Magna, we would urge the officers to consider providing alternative access to Hampton Magna and the potential housing site instead of using the route through Hampton on the Hill. The roads in Hampton on the Hill are unsuitable for heavy construction traffic and any further increase in traffic volume.
5. There is already an existing demographic division between the east and west regions of Warwick resulting in variances in schools, local amenities, social and recreational facilities and house prices etc. The Local Plan is an opportunity that the District Council should use to bring down the division and make Warwick a more integrated town. Hampton Magna already has a high proportion of affordable housing, and to propose a further 150 homes of which 40% are affordable housing will only serve to increase the east and west divide. If new houses are to be built in Hampton Magna, then consideration must be given to use this opportunity to reduce the east and west division in a small town such as Warwick.
We urge the Council to consider very carefully concerns from the residents.