BASE HEADER

I OBJECT - SITE GT02
30th April 2014
1. PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Concerning public transport, there are two bus stops in the vicinity of the GT02 site. The first is on the Southam Road and the second is on the roundabout on the Fosse Way. These are positioned on the narrow grass verge. I requested a site visit from Peter Garrison from WCC Highways Department to assess the viability of the GT02 site for use by the gypsy and traveller community. He looked at both areas and his immediate thoughts were that the site was not viable and would not have the highway department's support at a prima facie level.
Mr Garrison went on to say that the site was not sustainable when assessing it on bus links, cycle paths, footway links and general amenities. It was suggested that a pavement would need to be built all the way to Radford and that this would have to be lit and maintained and would also introduce urbanisation into the countryside.
On a personal note, I have two children aged 16 and 12, one of which is registered disabled. I have not allowed either of them to walk along the overgrown, narrow verge to use these bus stops in the 2 1/2 years we have lived here. I have felt it is just too dangerous. I have also not allowed them to walk the 1.5 miles into Radford Semele as there is no pathway, just high grass, and no street lighting.
Below is a turning movement diagram, supplied by Roger Harding, Principal Technical Advisor, Transport & Highways, Warwickshire County Council, showing the movements at the Fosse Way and Southam Road roundabout. This is a 12 hour survey (0700 - 1900).



There is a speed camera positioned on the Fosse Way opposite the proposed site, there are also signs advising us of it being a 'High Risk Crash Route', '12 Casualties over 2 miles in 3 years', 'Think Bike'. These enforce the fact that both the Fosse Way (60 mph Speed Limit) and Southam Road (50 mph Speed Limit) are both busy, dangerous road.
Therefore, based on Peter Garrison's observations, information from Roger Harding and my own personal experience, I would comment that the two bus stops are not suitable for regular use and, I have been advised, that it would require a lit path or pavement structure from the roundabout, on both sides of the road, all the way to the village, to make this area safe for pedestrians. Peter Garrison advised that the verge area was too narrow for this in several areas.

2. FLOODING
We own the land immediately above the proposed Site GT02. Last year, (2012) we experienced flooding as a large amount of surface water collected on the fields above. This 'overflow' happened on several occasions.
This volume of water caused extensive pooling of surface water in our four paddocks (situated above the GT02 site). This resulted in an outbreak of Liver Fluke in the
horses that use those paddocks. If concrete, hard standing areas were placed on the land below this, it could cause the back-up of excess water to increase, as the natural draining process would be interrupted and could result in more ill-health in our animals.
3. PROVISION OF UTILITIES (RUNNING WATER, TOILET FACILITIES WASTE DISPOSAL ETC.)
There would be no mains gas to the proposed site. Our property only uses oil or LPG gas. All the surrounding properties are serviced by individual septic tanks. There is no mains sewage system.
A large septic tank - notoriously problematic - while an obvious solution would cause ponding of effluent, given the principals of septic tank operation is such that fluids theoretically drain into surrounding land while solid waste collects to be either anaerobically broken down or removed from the site by a waste disposal contractor. The ponding of effluent from either one large septic tank or a series of smaller ones would present health concerns to both residents on that immediate site, livestock and nearby population.
Additionally, the mains power supply would need to be upgraded because it apparently has no further capacity and could not cope with a further addition of 12 'properties'.
4. AVOIDING AREAS WHERE THERE COULD BE AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE NATURAL AND HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT.

The proposed GT02 site is adjacent to an historic wood, owned and managed by ourselves. This covers 12 acres of land and in January this year a survey was carried out by Richard Finch, a Contractor for the Forest Commission (Site Survey 42856 - Parlour Spinney) to collect data for the National Forestry Inventory.

He informed us of a badger set in the wood, along with the presents of bats and a honey buzzard nest, with a breeding family located there. There are also owls, sparrow hawks, woodpeckers and a variety of deer naturalised in the wood. Mr Finch advised me that the badgers were protected and that it was against the law to develop 30m from their set. He also informed me that by placing any additional lighting on the land below the wood would affect the commuting route of the bats as they fly from the Warwickshire Exhibition site to the wood.


There are also two natural pond areas, one on the lower edge of the wood and one on the road edge, adjacent to proposed site. These contain various reptiles including adders, grass snakes, frogs, toads, aquatic insects and newts.


There are also sporting shoots that take place around the wood area on a regular basis, which obviously poses a danger to anyone inhabiting the surrounding land.

The Fosse Way, at this junction is the site of a Toll Station and is also a significant Roman Road. Roman potter has been found on the site and the record of this is below.

http://timetrail.warwickshire.gov.uk/detail.aspx?monuid=WA1916
Information for record number 1916
Summary Findspot - a pottery sherd dating to the Roman period was found 200m south east of Parlour Spinney.
What Is It?
Type: Findspot

Period: Romano-British (43 AD - 409 AD)
Where Is It?
Parish: Radford Semele
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 36 63

http://timetrail.warwickshire.gov.uk/detail.aspx?monuid=WA1908
Information for record number 1908
Summary The site of a toll house, where tolls were collected from travellers using the toll road. The toll house is marked on the Tithe Award Map of 1843. It was situated at the junction of Southam Road and Fosse Way, Radford Semele.
What Is It?
Type: Toll House

Period: Imperial (1751 AD - 1913 AD)

Where Is It?
Parish: Radford Semele
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 36 63


5. SITES WHICH CAN BE INTEGRATED INTO THE LANDSCAPE WITHOUT HARMING THE CHARACTER OF THE AREA
The GT02 site is located in a large valley, it will be visible from three routes leading to it. The valley is the southern gateway to Leamington and is a spectacular landscape and is a magnificent rural vista at the periphery of the major historic town of royal Leamington Spa.
Pictured are the views of the GT02 site from the land adjacent to the proposed site. It shows that it will be clearly visible from Ufton, the Southam Road and the Fosse Way. No amount of natural screening will disguise the site.





6. PROMOTES PEACEFUL AND INTEGRATED CO-EXISTENCE BETWEEN THE SITE AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
The proposed site GT02 is situated in an isolated, rural location, with a small hamlet of properties nearby. The addition of a site housing 15 pitches would increase the population by over 100%. This is not so much integrating with the existing community, as the existing community integrating with the 'new' community.
7. LOCAL ECONOMY
THE WARWICKSHIRE EXHIBITION CENTRE - The land proposed for GT02 is opposite The Warwickshire Exhibition Centre. Local residents have commissioned a study to outline the affect the proposed development will have on this business. This has stated that extensive business will be lost and with inevitable closure of the business within a few years. At this time of economic hardship, the loss of this major local business and subsequent job losses is an unacceptable consequence of such a development. It is apparently the perception among clients at the exhibition centre that the location of the gypsy and traveller site will have a negative impact on attendance and the success therefore of events and exhibition. Given the business owner has stated that he has already lost business due to the two consultation periods, it can never be argued at some future juncture that this was an unintended consequence of the development and go ahead for GT02.
Living opposite the centre, I am aware that there are many thousands of visitors to the centre each year. These people obviously bring trade to the local businesses including B&Bs, restaurants, petrol stations, shops etc. All adding to the local economy. A total of nearly 40,000 visit the exhibition centre each year.
In between the exhibitions, the car park and land around the exhibition centre are always maintained beautifully and are never an eyesore on the views from the surrounding approaches.
8.
LDF EVIDENCE BASE, STRATEGIC HOUSE LAND AVAILABILITY ASSEMESSMENT REPORT 2012
Crucially, the LDF rejected land to the south of Radford for development of new homes towards the Fosse Way as being too distant from amenities.
The LDF Evidence Base, Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Main Report in May 2012 concluded: 'This area is not adjacent to the existing built up area and would not be considered to be suitable location for development in terms of access to schools, services, shops and employment'.
There seem to be mixed views from the Gypsy and Traveller community as to whether urban or rural sites are preferred. However, the council has a responsibility to provide viable sites and if this land could not fulfil the criteria for housing needs, how could it be feasible for a gypsy and travellers site.