Testun llawn:
Preferred Options Consultation - Land at Stratford Road, Warwick - Objection
I am sending this using the email option instead of using the standard form, which I was quite unable to find on the website. If that causes difficulties for a Chartered IT Practitioner like myself, many other potential objectors may have just given up.
I was also disappointed that no Council representatives were prepared to come to the recent public meeting organised by Chase Meadow Residents Association, so there was no chance to discuss e.g. why two large sites had been selected rather than several smaller ones, which would be more easily manageable. Also, whether the GT15 Land off Europa Way site, if no longer needed as a transit site (as I was told by a Planning Department representative at the previous consultation meeting) could be one of those smaller sites, with the other sites reduced.
Two factors which have restricted the Public Consultation process! Reasons for my objection:
Access
The existing single farm track is completely unsuitable, and there appear to be no viable plans for improving it to the acceptable standard, or adding an alternative access for use in emergencies.
Air, Water and Soil Quality
The claim that the effect of the smell from the sewage works can adequately be 'mitigated' by drawing a smaller circle round the works is clearly disbelieved by residents of the nearer parts of the Chase Meadow estate. It depends which way and how strongly the wind is blowing.
The continuous roar of traffic on the A46 70mph dual carrriageway very close to the site also blights all parts of the Chase Meadow estate, particularly now part of the road is on a high flyover. This location clearly breaches Government guidelines on planning Gypsy and Traveller sites, requiring that: "It is essential to ensure that the location of a site will provide a safe environment for the residents. Sites should not be situated near refuse sites, industrial processes or other hazardous places, as this will obviously have a detrimental effect on the general health and well-being of the residents and pose particular safety risks for young children. All prospective site locations should be considered carefully before any decision is taken to proceed, to ensure that the health and safety of prospective residents are not at risk'.
Former Sites GT20 and GTalt24 were dismissed partly on the grounds of having noise and air quality issues. Site M40 corridor was dismissed on the grounds of 'severe noise issues . . which could not be overcome in a way that may be possible for conventional houses'. Why not dismiss the Stratford Road site on the same two grounds?
Flood Risk
Part of the site is on a designated flood plain within flood zones 2 and 3, and there are no specific plans (or costings) to mitigate that. The threat of flooding generally is expected to increase with climate change. Former Sites GT20 and GTalt24 were dismissed partly on the grounds of being in flood zone 3 (also 3a, 3b). Why not dismiss the Stratford Road site on the same grounds?
Effect on the local Economy
There is a need to attract more business development to complete occupation of the Tournament Fields business park, and there is ongoing residential development on and around Chase Meadow. Take-up of either of these is likely to be affected by the proposed G&T site. Site GT19 was dismissed partly on the grounds of impacting significantly on the viability of existing businesses/residential uses. Why not dismiss the Stratford Road site on the same grounds?