Testun llawn:
The Kenilworth Civic Society supports in principle the allocation of Site No. H06 for housing, and unreservedly supports the designation of the adjacent Site No. E2 as an employment site. However we do object to the inclusion of the following parcels of land within H06
* The field marked on Local Plan Policies Map 5. Kenilworth as Pavilion/Sports Ground and currently occupied by Kenilworth Wardens Cricket Club
* The field marked on Local Plan Policies Map 5. Kenilworth as Glasshouse Spinney and Ruby Football Ground, currently occupied by Kenilworth Rugby Football Club
* The field marked on Local Plan Policies Map 5. Kenilworth as track and pavilion, currently occupied by Kenilworth Rugby Football Club
Reasons for Objection
The Kenilworth Civic Society considers that the allocation of the above sites for housing is unsound because they will not be available for this use unless Kenilworth Rugby Football Club and Kenilworth Wardens Cricket Club can be relocated. The main text of the Draft Local Plan does not identify any sites for relocation of these sports facilities. The only reference to possible sites is on page 15/34 of Appendix VII of the Warwick District Council Publication Draft Local Plan SA/SEA. This says "Relocation of sports clubs to Castle Farm and land to south of Kenilworth".
Both locations are in the green belt, and although the National Planning Policy Framework allows "provision of appropriate facilities for outdoor sport, outdoor recreation" on green belt land, any such developments have to preserve "the openness of the Green Belt". This policy would appear to rule out large pavilions and conference rooms of the sort that the Rugby Club and the Wardens Cricket Club have now. If they are not going to get facilities at least as good as those they currently enjoy, they will not move from their present site.
Castle Farm is a particularly sensitive location. In addition to being in the green belt, it is near to Kenilworth Castle and very close to the site of the Castle Fish Ponds, a scheduled monument. There is also the question of what would happen to Castle Farm sports hall (owned by Warwick District Council) should the Rugby Club and/or the Wardens Cricket Club re-locate there. Appendix III of the Warwick District Council Publication Draft Local Plan SA/SEA says on page 41/82 "SH5 The Council ensure that in any potential changes at Castle Farm that sport hall access in Kenilworth is protected / replaced". If the sports hall at Castle Farm is to be replaced, where will it go? Abbey Fields has been suggested, but this idea was strongly opposed in a survey carried out last year by Kenilworth Town Council.