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As a resident of Bishops Tachbrook we have kept a close eye on the proposals for gypsy and traveller sites in the area, particularly those within the parish boundaries.

The two 'preferred' sites appear to be the most suitable for the following reasons:

GTalt01, Brookside Willows, Banbury Road.
* has planning for a caravan site (therefore utilising a site for the original purpose)
* is screened from the main road and will therefore afford some privacy from those staying there
* has easy access to Warwick (including doctors, dentist, schools, shops etc - all of which are walking distance along existing pathways)
* already has a great deal of the infrastructure required in place (including excellent access from the main road)

GT15, Land at Europa Way.
* Council owned land (no cost of purchase)
* Utilising land which is currently unused and of no agricultural value.
* Close to Warwick and its facilities (including doctors, dentist, schools, shops etc)
* Small manageable site
* Has natural screening from road

The 'alternative' sites are not very practical or desirable for the following reasons:

GT05, Tachbrook Hill Farm, Mallory Road.
* Adjacent to very bad junction (already very difficult to turn onto the A452 at peak times)
* Next to a bad section of road (several accidents have occurred there)
* Would require building on good agricultural land
* Would stretch village amenities (shop, school, doctors etc)
* Limited amenities in Bishops Tachbrook
* No existing pathways to closest amenities
* Would be potentially built next to a proposed housing development
* Land would have to be purchased - information to date suggests that the land owner does not want to sell and would therefore require costly 'compulsory purchase'
* Limited natural screening from either roads or existing housing
* Land has tendency to flood close to Mallory Road

GT06, Land at Park Farm/Spinney Farm.
* Would require building on good agricultural land
* Limited/no natural screening from either roads or existing housing
* No existing pathways to closest amenities (Warwick)

To conclude, the current 'preferred' sites within the Bishops Tachbrook parish boundaries would be far more viable than those identified as 'alternative'.

A practical approach must be taken when deciding on the intended sites to minimise the impact of any development on the environment, agricultural land, existing communities, local infrastructure etc whilst providing viable sites for travellers and gypsy's.