Testun llawn:
I wish to object to the Gypsy and Traveller preferred site GT04 Land at Harbury Lane, Fosse Way.
My comments and some of my concerns are as follows:
- WDC utilised the findings in the Salford GTAA report in order to establish need, however there is no
evidence of WDC's due diligence in validating the accuracy of the report and /or the relevance of the
established need.
- The WDC consultation does not consider as required the existing capacity of current sites within
Warwickshire county and adjacent districts.
- The GTAA ignores the impact of the planned Transit site near Southam which has been agreed
since completion of the GTAA
- According to the Government's planning policy framework, adjacent DCs are required to
collaborate, and yet Warwick DC and Stratford DC are very much out of phase with their
consultations so logically they cannot collaborate. Further there is no evidence that WDC has
collaborated or discussed with Stratford DC other than a reported "10 minute long but un-minuted
meeting" or with Rugby DC
- there is no evidence in WDC's consultation report that as required by NPFF and CLG , that WDC
have weighed up the cost to council of Compulsory purchase vs development of underutilised
brownfield sites including those that the council already own.
. - The WDC proposals will provide for more accommodation than there are G&T residents within
WDC boundary the vast majority of whom already live in houses so the requirement is clearly
seriously over-stated
- There is clear evidence via Hansard that MP's now want a fair planning policy that should result
in the abolition of the G&T planning requirement
- There has been little (and passive) publicity of the Consultation process and key milestones. Had
it not been for the local Community group I would not have known about it - it feels and looks
like this is a deliberate underhanded approach.
Specific to Site GT04:
- The site does not meet the fundamental planning criteria laid out in the NPPF, guidance from
Department of Communities and Local Government and WDC's own consultation documents for
Gypsy & Traveller sites. GT04 does not comply with planning policy whereby sites should provide
access to nearby services and quality of life. Specifically:-
- Accessibility to shops and local services: GT04 does not meet national planning framework
guidelines recommended 5-10mins walk on a pavement.
-Proximity to local community: GT04 does not meet the national planning framework
guidelines recommendation for sites to be on community periphery to encourage integration.
-Establishing 5-10 pitches at GT04 would be disproportionate to the local community
(8 residential properties, with 16 adults and 4 children). This is contradictory to national
planning framework guidelines recommendations.
- GT04 does not meet national planning framework guidelines recommendations for
accessibility to good local transport.
- GT04 does meet national planning framework guidelines recommendations for availability
of good infrastructure (roads, pavement, street lighting, broadband, cellphone reception).The
infrastructure at GT04 is poor and would require considerable investment to rectify. And this is an
expense that WDC should not incur during times of cutbacks in public expenditure and services.
- The area is prone to flooding with Harbury Lane and surrounding fields are often under water.
In accordance with planning and building regs, GT04 would be unable to use soak away or runoff
based drainage systems since the soil is clay based and will require connection to mains sewerage
which does not exist in Harbury Lane.
-Planning policy for G&T requires schools / GP surgeries to be a 5-10 minute walk away, GT04 is at
least a 45 minute walk away.
- The nearest GP surgery is three miles away
- that GP surgery is at capacity.
- The nearest primary, junior and senior schools are already at capacity.
- GT04 is located on Harbury Lane and Fosse Way cross roads that is a high risk travel route with high
volumes of traffic and an increasing number of accidents. Speed cameras and warning signs
highlight this fact. Children will be at risk if allowed to stand on a busy road to wait for transport to
school if indeed such transport exists
- According to aroma maps GT04 is within zone of aerial discharge from Barnwell Chicken farm. This
raises serious environmental and health concerns, and was a primary reason that the potential G&T
site at Barnwell farm was previously rejected. Simply -Barnwell chicken farm can smell awful and
GT04 would not be a good place to live
GT04 is within 400m of the Harbury Lane Breakers yard, which generates noise and air pollution and
which would make GT04 an unpleasant place to live but also an unhealthy one.
- The NPFF requires that the assessment of site suitability should be consistent with other
planning requests. However I understand that other residential planning applications within
200m of GT04 have been recently rejected by council planning authorities, referencing rural
policy on the grounds that the proposal would have an adverse "impact on the character of the
area".
- the cost to create 5 to 10 permanent pitches ranges between £325k to £650k, using government's
figures (£65k per pitch). In addition to this, G04 site may require relocation of Football club. There
is no firm evidence that G&T can or will pay these sums of money and WDC have not suggested an
alternative if G&T cannot or will not pay. GT04 should not be considered if there is not proof that
G&T can and will buy and develop it
- GT04 is an area of good quality farmland fully utilised for livestock and arable farming.
- GT04 will lack of Integration into the landscape and would spoil the views from Chesterton
Windmill, a 17th-century Grade I listed building and a striking landmark in South-East Warwickshire
- The proposed site will have an adverse visual impact from Harbury and The Fosse Way (Roman
Road).
- If GT04 were to be developed, the use of a vehicle or public transport to shops and schools is a
necessity and not considered eco-friendly.
- The site will have a detrimental impact on tourism and visitors to Warwickshire especially including
Mallory Court Hotel and a consequential effect on local employment.
- The site will damage wildlife habitat.