Testun llawn:
I am writing in regards to the Plans for a Gypsy Traveller site on the Stratford Road, Warwick.
From my point of view, this plan seems to not be well communicated and possibly undemocratic. There has been no communication with the public and was not even in the original plans. The short notice is not based on a fair process.
I am currently a resident of Chase Meadow, and we also rent a property on chase meadow. We are very worried Warwick will become an undesirable area to live. Though this is my own opinion, Chase Meadow and Warwick are extremely desirable areas, and this WILL have a major impact on the local area.
The proposed location is not in an area that can be integrated into the landscape without harming the areas character, leaving a visual impact on the approach to historic Warwick. This will damage the Tourist Industry which accounts for a large proportion of business transactions for both Large and Small & Medium Businesses, with a further threat to Warwick Town, along with possible damage to listed buildings. There is also a threat of pollution to the Warwick area with the Site being located in close proximity.
From the traveller point of view the sites location is terrible place to live. On one side of the site is the M40, on the other side is the Severn Trent sewage works. I have also learnt that the site is on a Zone 3 flood zone. These facts alone would need a considerable amount of investment. The provision of utilities on the sites is questionable with running water, toilet facilities, and sewage being bare necessities.
Overall there will be an adverse impact on important features of the natural and historic environment. Accesses from the sites are directly onto roads within the national speed limit zones. There is one pedestrian footpath. Therefore, there is no safe access to the road network. This is dangerous for large caravans to be turning in and out of the sites along with putting other road user's safety at risk. There will also be a huge impact on our local schools that are already at the maximum. 15 sites with a potential of 2 children at each pitch equals 30 extra children needing education.
There is a concern that although the number of Pitches upon the Sites is to be regulated, the actual numbers of people on the Pitches cannot be regulated or controlled. There is a further concern that the Sites are likely to be operated by the Gypsy Community and not Warwick District Council.
Finally, in your plans you state that Severn Trent are happy to sell the land for the purposes of a Traveller camp, but this isn't in line with what Severn Trent are saying themselves. I would be grateful if this land sale could be clarified.
I hope to here you feedback on this matter at your earliest convenience.