BASE HEADER

Firstly I wish to object to the very limited selection of sites in Warwickshire meaning that all 'possible' sites are to be found in the South of the County. This does not appear representative of a fair and thorough consideration of all available land that might be suitable. No reasonable justification appears to have been provided for this by Warwick County Council. I am not aware of any proposals which consider more urban locations on land which would naturally be considered for development. (Ie non Green / Brown belt land)
In relation to the specific site at Hatton I believe that there are a number of features, which make the site itself unsuitable per se, regardless of its comparison to other proposed locations.
1) The location at Hatton adjacent to Hatton Locks an area of outstanding natural beauty and a gem in the County of Warwickshire. The location of any new community build adjacent to this site would be wrong and will detract from the important heritage of the locks with both noise and visual detriment.

2) The Canal corridor is a haven for a variety of wildlife. The proposal to develop land at the Hatton Site can do nothing other than impact negatively upon the wide variety of bird and animal life that inhabits that area. This is a unique waterway and that habitat extends to the fields, woodland and hedgerows adjacent to the Canal, not just the water itself.

3) The B4100 is also the gateway to Warwick from Birmingham and the North and provides an important visual 'First Impression' for visitors arriving in the town. Warwick relies heavily upon tourism and any planning application must consider the sometimes disproportionate impact of any negative visual impressions on the town with its revenue from visitors. Siting of a Travellers site on this gateway would create that negative visual impact.

4) Despite a 50 mph Speed restriction the B4100 remains a fast, busy road, additional loading around the junction with Ugly Bridge Road has the potential to cause road safety issues. The sweeping bend travelling away towards Hatton Village adds to this concern. With slow moving commercial vehicles (with or without caravans in tow) will create risk entering or leaving the site.

In conclusion I do not believe that the site at Hatton has been considered in detail by Warwick County Council and that sites which would not impact upon the immediate and wider locality need consideration before any decision to progress is made.