Testun llawn:
I do not believe that development of these areas, when the infrastructure is already severely under strain can in any way show that these plans have been positively prepared.
In my previous objection, which I assume is still on record, I wrote of the virtually impossible task of getting into and through Warwick on a weekday basis without leaving Hatton Park at a ridiculous hour in the morning. This is still the case, as is the utter gridlock which occurs whenever there is an accident on the M40 or A46, which frequently happens. Plans to put traffic lights on the Stanks roundabout to relieve the congestion of cars exiting the A46 for Warwick, will in no way help the queue of traffic on the Birmingham Road which, at various times in the peak travel hours sees traffic backed up to Five Ways Island, a distance of some three miles or more.
My previous comments relating to the number of accidents that have occurred on the Birmingham Road, two local schools which are already full, despite recent expansion of one, overburdened doctors surgeries and local hospital remain relevant.
H28 in particular is prone to flooding during heavy spells of rain and badly holds surface water. It has been stated, that any potential developer would have to satisfy the Environment Agency of their plans to satisfactorily rectify this problem prior to development, in order not to cause future problems. This however does not inspire confidence. It is frequently reported in the news where new homes have been built on similar pieces of land and due to shoddy groundwork regularly flood, with the residents paying the price.
A survey conducted by our local Parish Council identified the need for a small number of homes within the parish, this number was under 20. It was felt that these homes could be provided by building on Brownfield and windfall sites. The survey was well prepared with a high percentage of residents responding. In the time that has elapsed since the survey, no huge changes in the area have taken place. The sudden inclusion with no prior notification of H53 within the plan, along with an increased number of houses for H28, bringing the number of proposed new homes for Hatton Park to 175, which do not appear to be needed, cannot justify or show exceptional circumstances for removing these parcels of land from the Greenbelt.
I do accept the need for further housing but only when plans have been well prepared and thought out. What is happening in Warwickshire seems to be neither. The destruction of Greenbelt without demonstrating exceptional circumstances flies in the face of the Governments' own policy. No further building work should be allowed throughout much of Warwickshire and certainly not in the immediate Warwick Town area. The existing traffic problems need to be acknowledged, a sensible long term plan for dealing with major traffic increase along with other infrastructure problems needs to be produced. Foisting thousands of new homes into an area and then attempting (or not) to deal with the resulting problems is madness.