Testun llawn:
I would like to add my comments to the public consultation on the proposed Gypsy and Traveller sites now that the preferred options have been published.
I have the following comments to make:
- Most of the preferred options are available without recourse to compulsory purchase. I feel that compulsory purchase should always be a last resort, as it should be the landowner's right to keep his land and also, this must surely be a more costly measure as there is always the possibility of legal battles. It seems some of the alternative sites are available without the need for CPO and I think these sites should be given more weight in the decision making.
- It is suggested that the first consultation will now not be considered any further.
This is disappointing in that many people felt compelled to respond to this consultation against some sites (specifically GT02). These responses should still stand and people's opinion should still be taken into account and not dismissed merely as the result of a campaign by the local landowner.
As to the sites, I would like to reiterate my concerns over GT02 that I raised in the initial consultation.
- this site would require CPO - it is therefore in principle not appropriate as above
- the site lies adjacent to a Roman road, with a high probability of archaeological interest from this
- the site lies within a valley and is highly visible from 3 directions. I think it would be difficult to overcome this and this seems to have been an important part of the assessment for some sites, but not for this one.
- there is no sustainable public transport connection - the bus stops cited in the report are not used, as they are not accessible from public footpaths and not safely accessible at all
- there are no amenities accessible without access to public transport
- WCC cite the Fosse Way as a Red Risk route with high likelihood of road accident. Any addition of housing of any sort, along this route would increase the likelihood of accident and traffic calming measures would need to be put in to place.
- moving the area of search away from the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre does not mitigate the impact on this business, which is a successful, growing local employer which draws people and external spend to the district. To adopt this site would jeopardise a business which need not be jeopardised.
- WDC has made no assessment, or attempt to assess, the impact of the proposed development on local employment or employers.
Thank you for taking my comments into consideration.