BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 95720

Derbyniwyd: 04/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Mrs Leah Nixon

While I understand development is necessary, as a local resident I am concerned that the proposals for Shipston-on-Stour would harm the town's character and environment. Traffic congestion would worsen, with impacts on quality of life and safety. The single-track bridges at Barcheston and Honington struggle with current traffic levels. The A3400 and the B4035, which connect to major hubs such as the M40, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Banbury, are consistently busy. Barcheston and Honington, untouched since the Middle Ages, may become alternative routes for traffic.

Local employment opportunities are limited and continue to decline. The distance to major employment hubs necessitates travel, yet public transport remains infrequent, and there is no train station, making car ownership essential for most residents. The historic Market Square, part of a conservation zone, is cherished by locals and tourists. However, it suffers from severe congestion and limited parking, with no space for expansion. Development could worsen this already pressing issue.

Green spaces are scarce. Natural areas like Fell Mill, celebrated for their beauty and importance to our community, are at risk. Losing such spaces would diminish our quality of life and harm local ecosystems. Fell Mill and Angela’s Meadow (Refs: 148, 747, 552, & 062) fall within the Cotswolds National Landscape buffer zone and are integral to the Feldon National Character Area. Their preservation is essential for the community's well-being and future generations.

Approximately 42% of the Fell Mill site lies in flood zones 2 and 3, and it is split by floodplain. Development would exacerbate surface water runoff, increasing flood risk in Shipston and in neighbouring villages and downstream areas. The sewerage system is at full capacity. Honington and Barcheston bridges are frequently impassable due to flooding.

Local infrastructure and public services are already under strain. Schools, healthcare facilities, and other essential services are inadequate. For example, the high school is oversubscribed and lacks a sixth form. An influx of new residents would heighten these challenges.

Please consider alternative locations for development of this scale, such as the Long Marston or Bearley sites which have been previously evaluated as viable options.