Testun llawn:
The "justification" for the allocation of the land at Stratford Road for employment purposes is that it is an alternative employment option to the land north of Gallows Hill. It is therefore reasonable to presume that it would have been assessed as such. However, by reference to the Strategic Employment Land Study (October 2014), there is no reference to the site. Without any assessment of the site's potential for employment, it is impossible to compare and contrast its suitability for this purpose. Some information is provided in the Sustainability Appraisal of the site but, in comparison to that contained within the Strategic Employment Land Study, it appears to be based on a subjective premise that it "is not being allocated for housing as it is considered to be more suitable for employment" which cannot be described as a ringing endorsement of the site's suitability for development.
One aspect of the site's assessment which appears to be lacking is that in respect of Heritage. In view of the acknowledged proximity of the site to some Listed Buildings, a Registered Park and Garden, Warwick Conservation Area and a Scheduled Ancient Monument, it is reasonable to expect that this matter would have been given more attention in the supporting evidence even if there are "significant" barriers between the development site and the historic assets, including the river.
For this reason it is not considered that the allocation of the land at Stratford Road for employment purposes is sound as it is not justified as it is not the most appropriate strategy when considered against the reasonable alternatives.