Testun llawn:
I have looked at the available information on line before sending this email as a long standing resident of Warwick and would comment as follows.
In principle I understand the need to have temporary and sensibly located sites for gypsies and travellers. However I could not find any information on how these sites will be serviced (eg access, toilets,etc) nor how they will be policed to ensure that the sites should only be used on a temporary basis. Assuming these measures are implemented the selection of sites I am sure are sensible.
As regards so called permanent sites I would have serious reservations given the experience of such sites elsewhere in the south of England. For example how can we control numbers and that the occupants are genuine gypsies/travellers ? With the pressures on local services due to the rapid growth in the UK population and the no of homeless people looking to move out of the overcrowded south east control will be difficult given the experience in certain areas of the south . Apart from pressure on local services a rise in local crime may be one result of overcrowding.
Warwick is one of the loveliest towns in England with a proud history. The many visitors to the town and surrounding areas are surely vital to the local economy and future prosperity of our town. The racecourse and adjacent St Mary's land/ Golf course is a major attraction but seems always to be under pressure from planning applications and I hope my local council continue to resist any new permanent buildings or a permanent gipsy/travellers site. Of course a temporary site is needed for such as the Billy Smarts Circus.
One general comment in relation to the overall plan is that the whole multi layered bureaucratic system for designing, drawing up, approval and presenting of the various local plans for Warwickshire and Warwick District, from Central Government, down to County Council and through to local District Council are such that by the time plans are put out to local residents most of the proposals seem to be ' fait accompli' with limited times for consultation. From people I've spoken to there seems to be a general dissatisfaction with the whole process and the lack of information as to what actions our local MP and other Warwickshire MP's are taking at the seat of Government to overturn damaging central
proposals such as HS2 and large population increases under the guise of the local 15 yr plan, despite the obvious overpressure on local infrastructure and services eg traffic, schools, hospitals and policing.
I appreciate that our local councillors are doing their best to look after local services for their residents and to keep Warwick as an accessible historic town enjoyed by both local people and visitors.