Dear Sir/Madam


Re: LETTER OF OBJECTION
Sites for Gypsies and Travellers (Local Plan Document June 2013)

I write to object to the plan to establish Gypsy and Traveller sites as outlined in the above document. I have detailed the reasons for my objection below.

Warwick District Council has not provided any evidence that these sites are actually needed or any evidence as to why so many sites are needed. In fact the documentation supplied on your own website 'Evidence of Local Needs and Historic Demand for Gypsy and Traveller sites in Warwick District' and 'Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment: Warwick Final report' suggests that 2-3 TEMPORARY sites of 15 pitches for the WHOLE of Warwickshire would be sufficient to cater for the needs of Gypsies and Travellers.

I refer to sections 5.2 and 5.3 of 'Evidence of Local Needs and Historic Demand for Gypsy and Traveller sites in Warwick District:'

Section 5.2 states the "figures demonstrate that, even when organised events are included, the average number of days spent in the district is low. The average number of days per visit overall is 6.2 and the average number of vans per encampment at any time is 8.7.

Section 5.3 states "All gypsies and travellers recorded were transitory and either moving from one part of the country to another, visiting family locally or attending an organised event, after which they left the district."

Section 5.5 includes a table of responses provided by 8 Gypsies and Travellers in which they were asked whether they would prefer a permanent or temporary site. Only 2 of the 8 responses indicated that they would like a permanent site.

So why are you proposing mainly permanent sites of at least 15 pitches when the above evidence quite clearly shows that permanent sites of this size are not needed.

I refer again to section 5.5 which states "The district council's own records comprise questionnaires completed or partially completed by gypsy and traveller groups when they arrived in the district. Since February 2008, eight such questionnaires, all from Irish travellers, have been collected. It is very difficult to get them completed since there is reluctance on the part of the travelling community to give information and distrust of council representatives. Information is also difficult to obtain for each of the families or individuals travelling together and sometimes one person will answer on behalf of the entire group. The questions posed assess the welfare needs of the individual, but some questions are pertinent to their more general needs. One of the questions asked relates to the desirability of a permanent site and where this would best be located for this specific group of travellers."

Q1. Why has WDC spent considerable time, money and resources formulating a plan based on evidence that is not statistically robust as it is based on responses provided by only eight people. This plan should be dismissed on these grounds alone.

Q2. Why has WDC spent considerable time, money and resources formulating a plan to benefit a group of people who clearly are not interested as they are unwilling to co-operate enough to even complete a questionnaire?

In section 5.6 it states "Advice obtained from the Gypsy and Traveller Officer at Warwickshire County Council based on the above information, indicates that a transient site would need to be made available, of an adequate size for ten vans to ensure that there would be sufficient space to accommodate a figure higher than the average number of vans recorded historically in the district at any one time."

This document concludes "From the data collected, it can be concluded that demand is low and transitory in nature. Even given the highest average number of days spent in the district this is no higher than 12 days. The average number of vans per visit is less than 9. To ensure that a site is provided of sufficient size to accommodate more than this average and accommodate the majority of encampments, it is concluded that there is a need for a transitory site to accommodate 15 vans. It is not considered necessary to accommodate the highest number of vans that has been recorded as these are extreme events and not a regular occurrence."

Q3. Why has WDC spent considerable time, money and resources producing a plan that proposes mainly permanent sites when the advice of your own Gypsy and Traveller Officer is that only ONE TRANSIENT site is required.

I refer to section 3.5 of the document entitled 'Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment: Warwick Final report.' This includes a table that presents an estimation of the size of the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople population and 'states using the best information available we estimate that there are at least 124 individuals or thirty-three households in the study area' i.e. Warwick District.

This document is based on a study sample of only 43 families. Again this is not statistically robust.

Q4. Why has WDC spent considerable time, money and resources formulating a plan that proposes 31 sites when the current population of Gypsies and Travellers is so small?

Statistics from the 2006 Irish census in the Republic or Ireland also does not support the need for so many sites. In the census only 22,369 people identified themselves as Irish Travellers. Of these, only 1,460 lived in urban areas, a clear indication that Irish Travellers do not actually want to live in rural locations. Yet despite this, the majority of proposed sites are in rural locations.

From the location of the proposed sites, it is also clear that Warwickshire District Council has not consulted with Stratford-Upon-Avon District Council. You are proposing six sites within the small parish of Bishops Tachbrook which does not take into account the fact that due to the amount of identified green belt land within the Stratford-Upon-Avon district; the majority of their 52 proposed sites will have to be located to the north west of their district which borders very close to the parish of Bishops Tachbrook.

This plan also does not take into account Warwickshire District Council's own Local Plan - Revised Development Strategy Document June 2013 which proposes 12,000 new homes, the majority of which are located South of Warwick and Whitnash. The impact of this will be a significant increase in traffic and noise pollution in the very locations where you are proposing to put the Gypsy and Traveller sites.

With reference to all the above information I have provided I request that Warwick District Council provide evidence to justify both the location and number of proposed sites.

Site GT03 Land at Barnwell Farm, Harbury Lane
Site GT04 - Land at Harbury Lane, Fosse Way

Road Safety/Road Access - The area of the Fosse Way close to these two sites has already been identified as a dangerous road. Road users are warned of this by signs that inform them of how many people have been killed on the road and speed cameras have been installed in an attempt to slow traffic down. Road users will often travel at high speed and take risks due to the relative straightness of the road. An increase in slow moving traffic such as caravans on this road will only result in more accidents. The intersection of Harbury Lane and the Fosse way is particularly bad and traffic will back up here at peak times of the day.

The volume of traffic south of Warwick and Whitnash where this site is located will also increase greatly as outlined in the Local Plan - Revised Development Strategy Document June 2013

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document that states the following is required, "Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site;"

Visual Aesthetics - These two sites will be clearly visible from the Chesterton Windmill. This site is visited daily by members of the local community and visitors to the area who enjoy this peaceful site with wonderful views of open fields. This wonderful view changes with the seasons meaning the site is visited all year round.

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document that states the following is required, "Sites, which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area."

The view from Chesterton Windmill also looks out over the remains of a Roman settlement.

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 3.5 of the Local Plan - Revised Development Strategy Document June 2013 where a specific principle under the key element of Environment is to protect high quality landscapes, heritage assets and other areas of significance.

Site GT05 - Land at Tachbrook Hill Farm, Banbury Road

Road Safety/Road Access - The Banbury Road is a very busy road and at peak times, traffic will back up and it can be very difficult to make a right hand turn onto this road from either the Oakley Wood Road or Mallory Road. Adding slow moving traffic such as caravans onto this road will increase the risk of incidents and add to the current traffic problems.

Today whilst travelling along the A46, I found myself in a long queue of traffic, travelling at less than 10mp for approximately 15 minutes. The reason for the build-up of traffic was three traditional style Gypsy caravans and horses on the road.

The volume of traffic south of Warwick and Whitnash where this site is located will also increase greatly as outlined in the Local Plan - Revised Development Strategy Document June 2013.

There is also no pedestrian access to this site.
This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document that states the following is required, "Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site;"

Noise Pollution - The south of Bishops Tachbrook village suffers from noise pollution from the M40. This site would lie even closer to the M40 so would suffer from even worse noise pollution.

Noise pollution as a whole will also increase greatly in this area due to the impact of the Local Plan - Revised Development Strategy Document June 2012 that proposes thousands of new homes within the same parish of Bishops Tachbrook.

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document that states the following is required. "Avoiding areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance;"

Visual Impact - Mallory Road is the main road into the older original section of Bishops Tachbrook village.

Banbury Road is the main road used by visitors approaching from junction 14 or 15 into Warwick which is a historical town attracting visitors from all over the world.

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document, that states the following is required "Sites, which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area."

Schools - Bishops Tachbrook nursery and primary school run at full capacity and already have a waiting list. With six Gypsy and Traveller sites proposed for this small area, it would be impossible for the school to take on the significant number of extra students that would come from these sites.

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.4 of the document that states the following is required to fully comply with provisions for sites "avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services;"

Site GT06 Land at Park Farm, Spinney Farm

Road Safety/Road Access - This site is situated very close to the Banbury Road, Warwick bypass and junction 14 of the M40. All of these roads are extremely busy especially at peak times of the day when drivers experience long tailbacks. There is also no pedestrian access to this site.

The volume of traffic south of Warwick and Whitnash where this site is located will also increase greatly as outlined in the Local Plan - Revised Development Strategy Document June 2013

The site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document that states the following is required. "Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site;"

Noise Pollution - This site would suffer from noise pollution due to its close proximity to junction 14 of the M40.

Noise pollution as a whole will also increase greatly in this area due to the impact of the Local Plan - Revised Development Strategy Document June 2012 that proposes thousands of new homes south of Warwick and Whitnash resulting in a substantial increase in the volume of traffic in the area.

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document that states the following is required. "Avoiding areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance;"

Visual Impact - The Banbury Road is the access road to the historic town of Warwick.

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document that states that the following is required. "Sites which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area;"

Schools - Bishops Tachbrook nursery and primary school run at full capacity and already have a waiting list. With six Gypsy and Traveller sites proposed for this small area, it would be impossible for the school to take on the significant number of extra students that would come from these sites.

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.4 of the document that states the following is required to fully comply with provisions for sites. "avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services;"

Site GT09 Land to the north east of M40 and south of Oakley Wood

Road Safety/Road Access - This site is surrounded by the M40 and Warwick Bypass (A452), all of which are very busy roads and there is no pedestrian access to the site.

The volume of traffic where this site is located will also increase greatly as a result of the Local Plan - Revised Development Strategy Document June 2013 which proposes 12,000 new homes south of Warwick and Whitnash, many of which we are told are required for people who will work in Coventry and therefore travel on these roads on a daily basis.

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document that states the following is required. "Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site;"

Noise Pollution - This site would suffer from noise pollution due to its close proximity to junction 14 of the M40.

Noise pollution as a whole will also increase greatly in this area due to the impact of the Local Plan - Revised Development Strategy Document June 2012 that proposes thousands of new homes south of Warwick and Whitnash resulting in a substantial increase in the volume of traffic in the area.

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document that states the following is required. "Avoiding areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance;"

Visual Impact - The Banbury Road is the access road to the historic town of Warwick.

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document that states that the following is required. "Sites which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area.;"

Schools - Bishops Tachbrook nursery and primary school run at full capacity and already have a waiting list. With six Gypsy and Traveller sites proposed for this small area, it would be impossible for the school to take on the significant number of extra students that would come from these sites.

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.4 of the document that states the following is required to fully comply with provisions for sites. "avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services;"

Site GT10 Land at Tollgate House and Guide Dogs National Breeding Center

Road Safety/Road Access - This site is bordered by both the M40 and the Banbury Road. There is also no pedestrian access to the site.

The volume of traffic in the area where this site is located will also increase greatly due to thousands of new homes proposed to be built south of Warwick and Whitnash as outlined in the Local Plan - Revised Development Strategy Document June 2013.

This site proposed does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document that states that the following is required. "Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site;"

Noise Pollution - The site would suffer noise pollution from the M40. Noise pollution as a whole will also increase greatly in this area due to the impact of the Local Plan - Revised Development Strategy Document June 2012 that proposes thousands of new homes south of Warwick and Whitnash resulting in a substantial increase in the volume of traffic in the area.

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document that states the following is required. "Avoiding areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance;"

Visual Impact - The Banbury Road is the access road to the historic town of Warwick.

This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document that states the following is required. "Sites, which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area.;"

Business Impact - This site holds the national breeding centre for guide dogs. There is a risk of their breeding dogs being introduced to and infected by diseases carried by pets belonging to the Gypsy and Travelling communities.

Site GT15 Land to east of Europa Way

Road Safety/Road Access - This site is located near to Europa Way. This is a very busy road and at peak times experiences long tail backs in both directions. This road is so busy that there is a proposal to turn this into a dual carriageway road. There is also no pedestrian access to this site.

The volume of traffic where this site is located will also increase greatly as identified in the Local Plan - Revised Development Strategy Document June 2013 which proposes thousands of new homes in the area south of Warwick and Whitnash bringing with it a huge increase in the volume of traffic in the area.


This site does not meet the criteria laid out in Section 7.3 of the document that states the following is required, "Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site;"

Environment - This site is located close to the Tachbrook and as the sites are also designated as places of work, there is the risk of pollution from this site into the Tachbrook.

I request that you register my objection to the above sites and review your current Local Plan.

Please acknowledge receipt of my letter by return post and keep me informed of this matter.

see attached

Charles and Helen Hammond and family have been at Tollgate Poultry Farm for over 30 years and the farm extends to about 30 acres and is within the site GT10. The main enterprise of the poultry farm is breeding free range turkeys, pheasants and chickens. The poultry site was chosen and developed as a poultry farm as there are no other poultry farms in the immediate vicinity. If there was a Gypsy and Traveller Site within GT10, GT09 and GT05 then because of the travelling nature of the Gypsies from other rural areas, poultry diseases could be spread and that would decimate the breeding flocks at Tollgate Poultry Farm.

Further objection is on the following grounds:

Farming Enterprise and Agriculture
This part of Warwickshire is predominantly livestock breeding and fattening animals, suckler cow herds and calves, breeding ewes and lambs, free range turkey breeding and pheasant rearing. GT10 has a National Guide Dog Breeding Centre. Gypsy and Traveller Sites often have many many dogs of the lurcher/greyhound type and very often those type of dogs worry sheep and cattle and free range poultry. They are also liable to provide disease.

Highways and Safety Issues
GT10 has a long frontage to the M40 motorway and in this particular section there have been a number of accidents where cars and lorries have gone off the motorway and crashed through the motorway fence. GT10 has a long frontage to the B4100 main road which is extremely busy with cars going to and from Gaydon Motor Centre where Jaguar, Landrover and Aston Martin are based. GT10 and the other neighbouring sites are adjacent to two half motorway junctions numbers 13 and 14. These junctions are extremely busy with all types of vehicles entering and leaving the M40 motorway with access to Leamington Spa, Warwick and elsewhere. The roads leading on to the B4100 are also potentially dangerous on the road safety angle. Gypsy Traveller Sites always have large towing caravans and anywhere along the B4100 and the adjoining roads provide a particularly dangerous hazard with slow moving vehicles entering or exiting a main road.

Services and Utilities
There is no main gas and no main drainage in the area

Rural Landscape
The area around GT10 is basically rural and agricultural and any proposed site will be a major invasion to the openess of the countryside.and therefore will be an irreversible urbanisation of the entire area.

Ecology and Wildlife Habitat
In close proximity to GT10 is Oakley Wood which is a 110 acre site owned and/or managed by Warwick District Council. It was purchased for amenity and lifestyle living. If a Gypsy and Traveller Site was provide in the area, then the very purpose and use of Oakley Wood could be jeopardised if lurcher dogs were loose and firewood was collected for traditional Gypsy and Traveller fires on the pitches. Oakley Wood therefore would be a fire hazard.


Objections to any Gypsy and Traveller Site options on GT09 - Land to the North East of M40

As my client has lived in the area for over 30 years he is aware of Red House Farm which forms the majority of the land within GT09. My client wishes to support the objection of Brian and Angela Smith, owner occupiers of Red House Farm and the same remarks regarding Farming Enterprise and Agriculture, Highways and Safety Issues, Services and Utilities, Rural Landscape and Ecology and Wildlife Habitat


Objections to any Gypsy and Traveller Site Options on GT05 - Land at Tachbrook Hill Farm

This majority of land is owned and farmed by Brian and Angela Lewis. My client wishes to support the objection of Brian and Angela Lewis and the same remarks regarding Farming Enterprise and Agriculture, Highways and Safety Issues, Services and Utilities, Rural and Landscape, Ecology and Wildlife Habitat

Identified Gypsy & Traveller Site GT05 Land at Tachbrook Hill Farm

This site fails to meet the councils Local Plan Requirements & its preferred options because-
The GP Surgeries in Bishops Tachbrook & Whitnash are at capacity and would be unable to cope with an influx of new patients.
The primary school in Bishops Tachbrook is already oversubscribed & the Catholic Primary in Whitnash, St Josephs' has even had to turn away Catholics with siblings already at the school as it has such a high application rate.
Also the educational needs of many of these children will mean that should a place be found at a local school they will need additional help to catch up, and this should be provided. Is the council going to supply additional funds to help support these children's needs? Given that the parents of many of these children are unable to read & write themselves they are not in a position to help children with their own learning and this identifies yet another pressure point. As an adult not being able to read & write seriously narrows down the type of work you would be able to apply for, there are no employers within in the village of Bishops Tachbrook therefore there is no immediate local economy for them to join with. Most villagers have to commute to work.
There is no Dental care in Bishops Tachbrook.
There are no pavements between the proposed site and the village and this would be a great danger especially during peak travel hours and school run times.
There are no bus stops and no safe place for a bus stop to be put in.
Additional traffic at the junction of Mallory Road & Banbury Road would put too much strain on an already busy junction onto a road where cars are travelling at speed, because of the north and southbound approaches to junction 13 of the M40. This is not an easy junction to get out of especially if you have to move slowly due to pulling a trailer or caravan.
This plot does not have any Provision of Utilities
Given the proximity of 50mph roads next to this site what are the provisions for the safety and security of both people & animals? For instance a horse on the Banbury Road especially a loose one could end in fatalities.
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It states in your Sites for Gypsies & Travellers page 9 last bullet point on section 7.4 the site should reflect the extent to which traditional lifestyles ( whereby some travellers live & work from the same location hereby omitting many travel to work journeys) can contribute to sustainability. Bishops Tachbrook & Whitnash would not be able to offer any traditional forms of income for travellers or gypsies. Next to this statement is an image of a draught horse. We are not a horse based community so farrier's would not be able to make a living here. Also my understanding is that traditional forms of employment also include door to door sales and this would be in stark contrast to advice given by police not to buy from door to door sales people. I fail to see how our community can support the traditional lifestyle of travellers.

The proposed location is not in an area that can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area which is stipulated as a Site Requirement within the WDC Consultation Document.
There is a potential 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 Enterprises alike.
Therefore a site in this location will put undue pressure on local infrastructure & services.
I have read the council's document "Sites for Gypsies & Travellers" Local Plan helping shape the district.
How is it those 15 sites are all placed south of Warwick & Leamington? The small village of Bishops Tachbrook has 6 of these within a mile of it, 2 are on its immediate doorstep. Potentially all of these sites could be approved and the very nature of our community and how the approach to our village would look would be irrevocably changed & the effect would be devastating to our way of life. This is not acceptable nor a reasonable request for the council to make.
There is no statement from the Gypsy Council of Great Britain or any other organising body on behalf of the Gypsy & Traveller community, within your brochure/document, that they wish to join our community in Warwickshire or anywhere else. Odd that. Perhaps this is because they have no desire to permanently live here? What evidence does the council have that the gypsy & traveller community wish to use these sites as a permanently settled site with a fixed maximum number of 15 Pitches? You also do not state how many people are able to live within a pitch or who is responsible for the site. Due diligence has not taken place here. I appreciate that you state the Regional Spatial Strategy & commissioned Salford University to produce a report but you have failed to put any meaningful back up data into this document. Therefore I have to question the validity of the study as you have not put it in the information you are handing out. Where is the proof that so many sites are needed? Much needed data is missing here & the council are remiss in leaving it out.
You also state that the Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Assessment shows a need for 31 pitches, 25 within the first five years & a further 6-8 transit pitches over the Plan period. Yet the brochure you have produced is only showing 19 of these. Why are you not identifying where all these sites will potentially be? Are you planning to use these larger identified areas to put up multiple sites? Please be clear & honest!

Your brochure has not been laid out in a way that makes for easy & understandable reading. For instance sites GT05 & GT09 in reality face each other on opposite sides of the Banbury Road yet in your document the numbers on the map are shown as far away from each other as possible and are shown in map form pages apart from each other & at different scales & angles. This also occurs for site GT06 which is opposite GT09. You are failing to make your documentation easy to read & this is inexcusable.
Also the images you are using on your front cover, page 3 & page 4 are clearly stock images of holiday camping sites. They are not permanent sites and they are certainly not Gypsy & Traveller sites. Why is the council not using real images from existing successful sites to give an honest & truthful photographic representation of how these sites will look?
I attended the public meeting at Whitnash Primary School recently regarding the Local Plan. I have never attended a public meeting before & went with the idea that WDC & our local councillors would be working for the benefit of our community. Unfortunately when I left the meeting & on reading the documents I felt very disillusioned. The lead spokesperson for the council gave a long and drawn out introduction implying that we were all prejudist against the traveller community. I found it offensive, ill advised and very condescending. Where I appreciate all the hard work & effort that council employees put in and I appreciate that the directives regarding The Gypsy & Traveller sites are coming from Westminster and not Local council I found the attitude of the councils representatives quite staggering. The gentleman representing The Highways Agency had clearly not received any training in how to speak to people. He was interrupted at one point by a lady at the back of the hall who asked a question relevant to the comment he had just made. The gentleman from the Highways agency then lost his temper and threatened not to give us any information if he was interrupted again. I found this to be highly unprofessional and suggest that that gentleman needs to learn the difference between a heckle and a pertinent question. And for the record that lady asked 3 questions, none of them were answered.
I also thought I was attending a public meeting but it appeared to be that the vast majority of people who were handed the microphone were councillors. I am very glad they were there but surely this was a place for the general public to have the chance to speak and to ask some questions supported by councillors?
Many people left that meeting about halfway through as they felt their voice was not being heard by the council. I found the whole experience depressing and frustrating. The gentlemen from the council set their stall as a "you & us" situation and they seem to have forgotten that actually we are all supposed to be on the same side! We are able to understand directives from Downing Street and we should be questioning decisions that are projected onto our lives. Surely this is democracy? That meeting felt like the council had attended just to tick the box and that what they were suggesting should just be signed off. I am truly appalled.

After reading with trepidation about the huge housing developments proposed for the South Leamington area, the Residents / Rate Payers and Electorate and are now being told to expect 10 permanent Traveller sites in what can only be see as an over the top planning action by the elected councillors of WDC!
Most of the sites appear to be unsuitable for Travellers and far to large for 15 families; a 1/4 of an Acre per family, I only wish my children could have grown up with a full sized football pitch to play on!

The sites proposed at locations 3,4,5,6,9,10,15 are remote from any main amenities, such as shops bus routes and very little in the way of pedestrian access. Also accessing onto very busy A & B roads that carry high volumes of rush hour traffic, including school traffic into Warwick each week day. Some of the sites would result in employment loss i.e. Fosse Exhibition centre & Guide Dogs Breeding Centre. Others sites would impinge on the local historic views e.g. approach to Warwick & Chesterton Windmill, others are prone to winter flooding e.g. Tachbrook, all would put a strain on local middle schools and Doctors Surgeries.
Yes we do worry about increased crime and falling house prices, so the way to limit this is to spread the load more evenly across the district. There must be more suitable locations North, East & West of the Town? But apart from the one site proposal in Cubbington North Leamington is unscathed yet again, because the proposed housing developments have also passed it by? The residents in South Leamington area can only be left to wonder how many serving councillors live it the seemingly protected North Leamington area???
But take heed, councillors are employed because you were elected by the local voters, but if these proposals go through then at the next local election you wont be getting too many votes from South of the River! You were elected to benefit all of the local areas not damage some and favour others.............................. If the Government is bullying you into this Traveller site fiasco then SPREAD THE LOAD FAIRLY AND EVENLY thought the district!

From a very concerned local resident and rate payer over the past 39 years.

Dear Sir/Madam

My apologies for sending this as two emails, I had not realised that responses on the draft gypsy and traveller site consultation were to be sent to the same email address as general comments on the new local plan.

As explained in my earlier email, I hope you will still consider this feedback even though it has been submitted after the deadline. I am currently visiting family in Finland and have had to cope with two unexpected collapses of my father this afternoon which necessarily distracted me from responding before the deadline. I did, however, want to share my thoughts on the new local plan hence sending this email. Please would you confirm whether you will take my email into consideration as part of the new local plan consultation.

I understand that the proposed gypsy and traveller sites include a number in the environs of Bishops Tachbrook (sites 5, 6, 9, 15, 3 and 10). I fail to see how these sites meet with the criteria required for candidate sites, for example being able to integrate a permanent site into the landscape without harming the character of the area, convenient access to public transport, providing safe access to the road network, placing undue pressure on the local infrastructure and services and avoiding areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance. All these sites are too remote from major settlement areas.

The Bishops Tachbrook area has a strong rural character that must be preserved. The village is already being compromised by traffic that runs through it as a rat run to the M40. As outlined in my earlier email there are already road safety issues in the village so any new settlement (of any type) that increases the traffic through the village (to the motorway or to Leamington Spa) should be avoided. The public transport service is very limited so alternative options are not practical and many of the proposed sites do not offer pedestrian access so inhabitants will inevitably resort to using cars.

My recommendation is that sites which are closer to existing services (e.g. GP services and village schools) that could accommodate the additional demand should be sought and that the impact on the local rural road network be seriously considered. Any sites which will compromise the rural character of immediate area, specifically those listed above, should be excluded from the list of proposed sites. I appreciate this means that more rurally based councils will find it harder to find appropriate sites for gypsies and travellers, however this does not mean that the natural environment and character of the areas within its care should be compromised.

General Observations

WDC should have identified brownfield sites within the existing urban areas of Kenilworth, Warwick and Leamington for Gypsies and Travellers. These sites would be more suitable and sustainable, and would enable better integration in to the local community. Despite such sites existing, they are all being proposed for redevelopment for more valuable uses. WDC should be requiring Gypsy and Traveller sites are delivered within the proposed major new housing developments in Kenilworth, Warwick and Leamington. This would ensure that the sites could be properly designed in a sustainable fashion and be fully integrated into a local community which will provide facilities such as a school, a doctors surgery and shops which are accessible on foot, on bike, by bus and by car.

Ecology and Environment - all of the sites have some ecological value and environmental issues which does not appear to have been assessed.

WDC should revisit its Greenbelt Policy and release sites to the north of Warwick and Leamington which would reduce the pressure to allocate land for all forms of development during the new Local Plan period to the south of the District.

WDC should consider allocating an area of land to the south of Warwick and Leamington including The Asps and Sites 5, 6, 9, 10 as Greenbelt to provide a 'buffer' to the proposed developments to the south of Warwick and Leamington and/or to extend the proposed Bishops Tachbrook Country Park as far as the Banbury Road near to Warwick Castle Park. This would ensure the villages in the south of the District retain their identity and are not 'swallowed up' by Warwick and Leamington over time.

I support the area of search at GT11 (Hampton Road). This is a sustainable site with good access to GPs and both primary and secondary schools. There is adequate separation from the settled community to avoid issues of noise from the site affecting the settled community, whilst the site is close enough to minimise isolation and potentially promote a better understanding between the two communities. However, the western end of the site is too close to the A46 and noise levels are high. Trailers cannot be soundproofed to the same level as houses so this part of the area will not provide reasonable accommodation for the travelling community.

Other sites offering reasonable access to existing facilities, particularly primary schools, include GT12 and GT05, particularly the northern end of GT05. In the case of GT12 the difficulty of crossing the
A429 Barford bypass should be considered, however.

I object to the site at GT20 (Junction 15, M40) because the high level of noise from the M40 will adversely impact on the amenity of residents of any site here.

Similar comments can be made for large parts of GT09

The Fosse Way sites (GT03 and GT04) appear to have nothing to recommend them in terms of access to facilities. The level of isolation of the sites is also unlikely to promote inclusion. GT06 suffers from similar problems.

GT15 (Europa Way) relates well to the proposed areas of growth and might be a suitable site in the long term, although its size and shape makes the provision of internal open space with good casual surveillance difficult. Noise from Europa Way could also be a problem.

I am writing in response to the proposed Gypsy and Traveller sites in the parish of Bishops Tachbrook.


6/20 of the proposed sites are situated in and around our beautifully peaceful village. A village which has very few resources among which are a church, a small grocers shop, a hairdressers a sports and social club and a small primary school. We have a mobile library and a mobile chip shop on occasions.


Due to our limited resources within the village most locals commute outside of the village to work. This begs the question as to where the gypsy and travelling community are going to find work locally?

The school is almost always over subscribed. It's a single form entry and is always at full capacity. We question that the school has enough resources to cope with additional pupils from the Gypsy & Traveller community if they are allowed to set up camp within our village. The school relies on help from parents who give up their time to come in and help teachers and read with pupils. With over 81% of gypsy and traveller children's parents being illiterate I question who will provide the extra support that the children will need if their own parents are unable to provide that support.

Local Secondary schools are also over subscribed, leaving us with concerns that there will not be adequate provision for the current population of the parish.

The local doctor's surgery again is very small and only open for five half days and as it's already difficult to get an appointment I question how additional families would fare and again this would put the surgery under undue pressure.

As there would currently be no sewage, water, electricity or gas to the proposed sites the cost to connect them up will be huge, as well as putting the existing services under strain they will not be of sufficient size to take the extra load.


As my family live near the fields at the top of the village where there are Bats I feel concerned that any plans to build or site travellers would deter the bats from their natural habitat.

There is also a very limited public transport option.

GT03 is very remote and not in reach of major amenities.

GT04 again is very remote.

GT05 has access onto a very busy road, with cars travelling at speed. This would be dangerous to introduce caravans turning into the site, and pedestrian access is dangerous. I would argue that to even build a footpath alongside that road would be dangerous and there is no footpath to reach any facilities. This site would also have a negative visual impact on the approach to historic Warwick and therefore effect local business dependent on tourists in a negative way. There are also listed buildings on that site in need of protection.

GT06 very remote and again no pedestrian access.

GT09 has no pedestrian access and again a negative visual impact onto visitors to Warwick.

GT10 is close to the Blind National Breeding Centre and I would question the risk of disease from un vaccinated pets and animals belonging to the gypsies.

GT15 is on the banks of the Tachbrook. As most travellers seem to be able to earn an income on site I would question that the proposed site could cause a chance of pollution to the brook which is unacceptable.

In general all these sites have no adequate bus stops, and are on busy roads.
No path or pavement to walk anywhere and cycling is dangerous on busy commuter routes.
Children cannot be allowed to stand on a busy road to wait for transport to school.
Whilst I appreciate that the council is under an obligation to provide some permanent pitches I strongly feel that the sites chosen are unsuitable.

The sites would provide undue strain on local resources that are already stretched to capacity. At a recent meeting a fellow villager asked a planning officer where the occupiers of the proposed thousands of new build homes would work - an answer could not be given.

Please do not hesitate to contact either myself or my husband should you require any further verification of our objections.

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to make my objections to the Gypsy and Traveller Site (G&TS) options clear.
It is clear that when considering G&TS's the following must be considered:
Convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport
In 2007, 2.7% of children of Gypsy/Romany origin and 8.4 % of traveller children of Irish heritage achieved 5 or more A* to C grades or equivalent exams including English and Mathematics in England compared to a national average of 45.4%. 8% of Gypsy and Traveller mothers have experienced the death of a child compared to less than 1% of the settled community. This could put a major strain on the already overworked education and medical facilities already available in the area.
The Catholic Primary in Whitnash, St Josephs' has had to turn away Catholics with siblings already at the school as it has such a high application rate. Is the council going to supply additional funds to help support these children's needs? Given that the parents of many of these children are unable to read & write themselves they are not in a position to help children with their own learning and this identifies yet another pressure point. As an adult not being able to read & write seriously narrows down the type of work you would be able to apply for, there are limited employers within in the village of Bishops Tachbrook therefore there is no immediate local economy for them to join with.
Avoiding areas with a high risk of flooding
Field on the corner of Mallory Road, Banbury Road floods on each side whenever there is a significant rainfall. Sites GT05, GT06, GT09 and GT10 are all prone to flooding.
Provision of utilities
Who would be expected to provide this? Sites GT05, GT06, GT09 and GT10 do not have adequate provision of utilities such as sewerage, drainage, gas and water.
Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site
Sites GT05,GT06, GT09 and GT10 are all on very major roads with no means of pedestrian access. There are no bus routes and they are all fast moving roads.
Avoiding areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance
Banbury Road is the main road off the M40 for people travelling from both the North and the South. GT05, GT06, GT09 and GT10 are all bordering the M40 meaning that these sites will be very noisy for occupants. GT05 is in extremely close proximity to residents of Bishops Tachbrook and so any noise from this site would have a major effect on current residents.
Avoiding areas where there could be adverse impact on important features of the natural and historic environment
St Chads church in Bishops Tachbrook has many historical features. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book. GT05 and GT09 are both situated on the approach to Bishops Tachbrook and would be the first visual sight that visitors would see of the village.
Sites which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area.
It is difficult to think of any area at all that would meet this criteria. The character of the area around GT05, GT09 and GT10 is agricultural farm land. I fail to see how a G&TS would integrate into this landscape without harming the character of the area.
Promotes peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and local community
I would suggest this is highly unlikely due to the level of local disagreement with the proposed sites, in particular GT05, GT09 and GT10. I have concerns over the level of noise that any sites may incur, both from the inhabitants and also the local community expressing their objections. Local residents have discussed various methods of protest if these plans are to go ahead. Various residents have offered financial assistance regarding legal advice. The press and local MP's have been engaged and shown their support.
Avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services
Will additional funding be provided to the village school to support with the proposed number of children likely to attend? If not will a new school be built to support in this area? Will this cause a change in the catchment areas for the school? It would be unfair for tax paying residents to be moved out of the catchment area to accommodate these new developments.
The school in Bishops Tachbrook is single form entry and is already oversubscribed. G&TS of 5,10 or 15 are likely to provide homes for 10,20 or 30 children. A small school which is always at capacity is unlikely to be able to provide the infrastructure required to support the needs of the proposed sites. The school does not have the resource to support children that have received very little if any formal education. They will struggle to integrate into the local school environment.
The school also relies on the parent teacher working relationship meaning that parents support the school by giving up their time to help teach and read with pupils. It is known that 81% of Gypsy and Traveller children's parents are illiterate. This will mean no support for the school. It will also mean that these children will require even more support from existing parents. The extra support that these children will need will put the current children at a disadvantage. The school is simply not equipped to deal with the needs of these children.
There are already concerns that the secondary schools in the area are oversubscribed and that there is not adequate provision for the current population of the parish. Any additional strain on these numbers will only make the situation worse.
There is a grade 1 listed church and a sports and social club built through local fund raising. There is a small local shop, a hairdresser and one public house. That is it.
Reflects the extent to which traditional lifestyles (whereby some travellers live and work from the same location thereby omitting many travel to work journeys) can contribute to sustainability
I would suggest that it is a small minority of Gypsy and Travellers that live and work from the same location. I would be interested to see the evidence to show how a Gypsy and Traveller site can support local sustainability in this area.
Specific sites
GT05, GT09- Vehicle access is onto a very busy main road, with vehicles travelling at speed. To introduce caravans and mobile homes turning into the site would be dangerous. Additional traffic at the junction of Mallory Road & Banbury Road would put too much strain on an already busy junction onto a road where cars are travelling at speed, because of the north and southbound approaches to junction 13 of the M40. This is not an easy junction to get out of especially if you have to move slowly due to pulling a trailer or caravan.
Given the proximity of 50mph roads next to this site what are the provisions for the safety and security of both people & animals? For instance a horse on the Banbury Road especially a loose one could end in fatalities.
The potential visual impact would be devastating on the approach to the Historical Warwick town and could discourage visitors and tourists. There are listed buildings on this site in need of protection. The proposed location is not in an area that can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area which is stipulated as a Site Requirement within the WDC Consultation Document. It would be the first thing that people see when travelling into the village from the M40
GT06 - Very remote from main centres and no means of pedestrian access
GT10 - Close to the Guide Dogs for the Blind National Breeding Centre. The risk of disease from any unvaccinated animals belonging to Gypsies and Travellers could be devastating. Given the proximity of 50mph roads next to this site what are the provisions for the safety and security of both people & animals? For instance a horse on the Banbury Road especially a loose one could end in fatalities. As could loose dogs.
Vehicle access is onto a very busy main road, with vehicles travelling at speed. To introduce caravans and mobile homes turning into the site would be dangerous.
The proposed location is not in an area that can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area which is stipulated as a Site Requirement within the WDC Consultation Document.
GT15 - site located on the banks of the Tachbrook. There could be a chance of contamination, given that the proposed site may be used as a place of work. Europa Way is an already congested road and adding further traffic to this mix could be devastating.
Sites GT05, GT06, GT09 and GT10 are currently homes to many forms of farm and wildlife animals. They are also working farm land.
Other considerations
6 out of the 20 sites have been proposed around the small unique village of Bishops Tachbrook.
Are the sites identified in and around Bishops Tachbrook too remote from the main infrastructure of Leamington Spa or Warwick to be suitable for this type of development?
On behalf of Warwick District Council, Salford University has determined that there is a requirement for 25 pitches initially expanding to 31. Why the need for so many propsed sites then?
Who will monitor the sites. It is my understanding that the sites will be operated by Gypsy and Travellers and not Warwick District Council. If this is the case how can concerns such as noise pollution land pollution and overcrowding be controlled?
Recommendations state that the size of each site must be between 5 and 15 pitches but does not specify how many people can populate this sites. What plans have been put in place to ensure that what happened at Dale Farm does not happen again. This was where a legitimate site expanded?
What about the effect on house prices in the general area around these sites?
What will be the visual impact on Bishops Tachbrook village and surrounding area. Will it have an impact on tourism in the area?
All proposed sites are on busy roads where it would be a danger for any children to wait for transport to school.
Why are 15 of the proposed sites in the south of Warwick & Leamington? The small village of Bishops Tachbrook has 6 of these proposals within a mile of it, 3 are on its immediate doorstep. Potentially all of these sites could be approved and the very nature of our community and how the approach to our village would look would be irrevocably changed. The effect on Bishops Tachbrook would be devastating to our way of life. This is not acceptable nor a reasonable request for the council to make.
There is no statement from the Gypsy Council of Great Britain or any other organising body on behalf of the Gypsy & Traveller community, within your brochure/document, that they wish to join our community in Warwickshire or anywhere else. Perhaps this is because they have no desire to permanently live here? What evidence does the council have that the Gypsy & Traveller community wish to use these sites as a permanently settled site with a fixed maximum number of 15 Pitches? You also do not state how many people are able to live within a pitch or who is responsible for the site. Due diligence has not taken place here. I appreciate that you state the Regional Spatial Strategy & commissioned Salford University have produced a report but you have failed to put any meaningful back up data into this document . Therefore I have to question the validity of the study as you have not put it in the information you are handing out. Where is the proof that so many sites are needed? Much needed data is missing here & the council are remiss in leaving it out.
You also state that the Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Assessment shows a need for 31 pitches, 25 within the first five years & a further 6-8 transit pitches over the Plan period. Yet the brochure you have produced is only showing 19 of these. Why are you not identifying where all these sites will potentially be? Are you planning to use these larger identified areas to put up multiple sites? Please be clear & honest!
Sites GT05, GT06, GT09, GT10 are all next to each other meaning that of all these sites are successful there would be a huge Gypsy encampment in a small area.
The images you are using on your front cover, page 3 & page 4 are clearly stock images of holiday camping sites. They are not permanent sites and they are certainly not Gypsy & Traveller sites. Why is the council not using real images from existing successful sites to give an honest & truthful photographic representation of how these sites will look?
Proposals
Has the area next to the police site on the west side of Europa Way in between GT06 and GT15 been considered. This could have access onto one of 4 roads and would have a high Police presence.
A further alternative site and one that is a much more suitable at addressing the issues that are set out in Section 4 of the consultation document is on the opposite side of Stratford Road, Warwick to Aylesford School. This site is located within walking distance of medical, educational and recreational facilities.
It is located on a straight section of road with good sight lines and a 40 mph speed limit. It is served by bus routes and has wide pedestrian footpaths. This site is also set back from the road so would provide some protection from any negative visual impact.
Other comments
The instructions for this plan are very unclear. I have been advised that a separate letter needs to be submitted for each proposed site but I can not see anywhere that this is mentioned for email responses, this is unclear. If that is the case I have grave concerns that this consultation has not achieved its legal goal of "improving the efficiency, transparency and public involvement in large-scale projects or laws and policies" as people do not know how to respond in the correct manner.
I request to know the name of the authorised Gypsy site shown in your brochure.
Whilst I appreciate that WDC are under instruction to provide sites I would suggest that the proposed sites around the Bishops Tachbrook area are in the wrong places. This community is already stretched to capacity. I fail to see how the G &T could contribute to our small community.

Dear Development Policy Manager,

This letter is a response to the Draft Gypsy and Traveller Site Options.

My comments relate to sites GT4, GT5, GT6, GT9, GT10 and GT15.

Site GT4 - OBJECT

Convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport: Bishop's Tachbrook only has a branch GP surgery open mornings only Monday, Wednesday and Friday and afternoons only Tuesday and Thursday. Gypsies and travellers are known to have poorer health and higher health needs than the settled population so site GT4 would put undue pressure on an already busy surgery.

Bishop's Tachbrook primary school is a single form entry. Gypsy and traveller families are typically larger than the settled population and so a site with 5, 10 or 15 homes are likely to contain 15, 30 or 45 children. A Department for Education and Skills (2005) report, Ethnicity and Education: The Evidence on Minority Ethnic Pupils, reports that gypsy, Roman and traveller pupils are more likely to be identified as having special educational needs. Bishop's Tachbrook primary school is always at capacity and so may not be able to provide the infrastructure required to support these needs. All the sites identified which lie within Bishop's Tachbrook parish are too remote from major centres with all journeys requiring a motor vehicle.

Public transport is limited within the parish and with no pavements joining the sites to other urban areas, pedestrian access would be dangerous. Gypsies and travellers already have a lower life expectancy than the settled population so introducing them to additional known hazards would be a serious undertaking.

Avoiding areas with a high risk of flooding: The Environment Agency designates this area as being at likely risk of flooding from rivers or sea without defences. There are a number of streams criss-crossing this area. The Tach Brook runs nearby which provides additional flooding risks.

Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site: Site GT4 is on a main road with no pedestrian access making safe access to the road network dangerous.

Provision of utilities (running water, toilet facilities, waste disposal, etc): As this area is very remote from major amenities, the provision of utilities would be more problematic than for other sites.

Avoiding areas where there could be adverse impact on important features of the natural and historic environment: GT4 is close to the Chesterton Windmill site which is of local importance.

Sites which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area: GT4 is close to the Chesterton Windmill site which is of local importance.

Promotes peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community: There is very strong local opposition to siting a gypsy and traveller site in this location as evidenced by the local meeting held on 17th July 2013.

Avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services: Harbury Lane is a very busy route into Warwick and Leamington which already has queues at the Harbury Lane/Oakley Wood Road junction at peak times. There are few local services nearby and so those that do exist are likely to be put under undue pressure by a large gypsy and traveller site.

Reflects the extent to which traditional lifestyles (whereby some travellers live and work from the same location thereby omitting many travel to work journeys) can contribute to sustainability: Site GT4 has a number of streams criss-crossing the area and is very close to the Tach Brook. There is therefore a risk of contamination given that the proposed gypsy and traveller site may be used as a place of work.

 
Site GT5 - OBJECT

Convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport: Bishop's Tachbrook only has a branch GP surgery open mornings only Monday, Wednesday and Friday and afternoons only Tuesday and Thursday. Gypsies and travellers are known to have poorer health and higher health needs than the settled population so site GT4 would put undue pressure on an already busy surgery.

Bishop's Tachbrook primary school is a single form entry. Gypsy and traveller families are typically larger than the settled population and so a site with 5, 10 or 15 homes are likely to contain 15, 30 or 45 children. A Department for Education and Skills (2005) report, Ethnicity and Education: The Evidence on Minority Ethnic Pupils, reports that gypsy, Roma and traveller pupils are more likely to be identified as having special educational needs. Bishop's Tachbrook primary school is always at capacity and so may not be able to provide the infrastructure required to support these needs. All the sites identified which lie within Bishop's Tachbrook parish are too remote from major centres with all journeys requiring a motor vehicle.

Public transport is limited within the parish and with no pavements joining the sites to other urban areas, pedestrian access would be dangerous. Gypsies and travellers already have a lower life expectancy than the settled population so introducing them to additional known hazards would be a serious undertaking.

Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site: Site GT5 is on a main road with no pedestrian access making safe access to the road network dangerous.

Avoiding areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance: Site GT5 is very close to the M40 which could negatively impact on the residents' well-being through noise and traffic fumes.

Avoiding areas where there could be adverse impact on important features of the natural and historic environment: There is a strong potential visual impact on the approach to historic Warwick. There are also listed buildings on the site.

Sites which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area: There is a strong potential visual impact on the approach to historic Warwick. Tourism in Warwick is very important to the local economy and any impact would severely damage the town.

Promotes peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community: There is very strong local opposition to siting a gypsy and traveller site in this location as evidenced by the local meeting held on 17th July 2013.

Avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services: The A452 is the main route off the M40 motorway into Leamington from the south. It is such a busy and dangerous route that a 50mph speed limit was introduced in 2009. There are few local services nearby and so those that do exist are likely to be put under undue pressure by a large gypsy and traveller site.

 
Site GT6 - OBJECT

Convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport: Bishop's Tachbrook only has a branch GP surgery open mornings only Monday, Wednesday and Friday and afternoons only Tuesday and Thursday. Gypsies and travellers are known to have poorer health and higher health needs than the settled population so site GT4 would put undue pressure on an already busy surgery.

Bishop's Tachbrook primary school is a single form entry. Gypsy and traveller families are typically larger than the settled population and so a site with 5, 10 or 15 homes are likely to contain 15, 30 or 45 children. A Department for Education and Skills (2005) report, Ethnicity and Education: The Evidence on Minority Ethnic Pupils, reports that gypsy, Roma and traveller pupils are more likely to be identified as having special educational needs. Bishop's Tachbrook primary school is always at capacity and so may not be able to provide the infrastructure required to support these needs. All the sites identified which lie within Bishop's Tachbrook parish are too remote from major centres with all journeys requiring a motor vehicle.

Public transport is limited within the parish and with no pavements joining the sites to other urban areas, pedestrian access would be dangerous. Gypsies and travellers already have a lower life expectancy than the settled population so introducing them to additional known hazards would be a serious undertaking.

Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site: Site GT6 is on a main road with no pedestrian access making safe access to the road network dangerous. It is surrounded on three sides by very busy main roads.

Avoiding areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance: The traffic noise from being surrounded by three very busy main roads would be detrimental to the residents' well-being.

Provision of utilities (running water, toilet facilities, waste disposal, etc): There is only one farm on this site and as such the provision of utilities is limited.

Avoiding areas where there could be adverse impact on important features of the natural and historic environment: Both the A425 and the A452 run alongside this site. This means the potential visual impact on the approach to historic Warwick is doubled as visitors leaving the motorway both northbound and southbound would see the site as they enter Warwick.

Sites which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area: Both the A425 and the A452 run alongside this site. This means the potential visual impact on the approach to historic Warwick is doubled as visitors leaving the motorway both northbound and southbound would see the site as they enter Warwick. Tourism in Warwick is very important to the local economy and any impact would severely damage the town. It is close to Castle Park which is an important historical area of Warwick.

Promotes peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community: There is very strong local opposition to siting a gypsy and traveller site in this location as evidenced by the local meeting held on 17th July 2013.

Avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services: The A452 and the A425 are the main routes off the M40 motorway into Leamington from the north and south. They are such busy and dangerous routes that a 50mph speed limit was introduced on both in 2009. There are few local services nearby and so those that do exist are likely to be put under undue pressure by a large gypsy and traveller site. 
Site GT9 - OBJECT

Convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport: Bishop's Tachbrook only has a branch GP surgery open mornings only Monday, Wednesday and Friday and afternoons only Tuesday and Thursday. Gypsies and travellers are known to have poorer health and higher health needs than the settled population so site GT4 would put undue pressure on an already busy surgery.

Bishop's Tachbrook primary school is a single form entry. Gypsy and traveller families are typically larger than the settled population and so a site with 5, 10 or 15 homes are likely to contain 15, 30 or 45 children. A Department for Education and Skills (2005) report, Ethnicity and Education: The Evidence on Minority Ethnic Pupils, reports that gypsy, Roma and traveller pupils are more likely to be identified as having special educational needs. Bishop's Tachbrook primary school is always at capacity and so may not be able to provide the infrastructure required to support these needs. All the sites identified which lie within Bishop's Tachbrook parish are too remote from major centres with all journeys requiring a motor vehicle.

Public transport is limited within the parish and with no pavements joining the sites to other urban areas, pedestrian access would be dangerous. Gypsies and travellers already have a lower life expectancy than the settled population so introducing them to additional known hazards would be a serious undertaking.

Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site: Site GT9 is on a main road with no pedestrian access making safe access to the road network dangerous. It is surrounded on all sides by very busy main roads (A452 and M40).

Avoiding areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance: The traffic noise from being surrounded by A452 and M40 both very busy main roads would be detrimental to the residents' well-being.

Provision of utilities (running water, toilet facilities, waste disposal, etc): The site is rural and therefore has limited access to utilities.

Avoiding areas where there could be adverse impact on important features of the natural and historic environment: There is a strong potential visual impact on the approach to historic Warwick. There are also listed buildings on the site.

Sites which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area: There is a strong potential visual impact on the approach to historic Warwick. Tourism in Warwick is very important to the local economy and any impact would severely damage the town.

Promotes peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community: There is very strong local opposition to siting a gypsy and traveller site in this location as evidenced by the local meeting held on 17th July 2013.

Avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services: The A452 is the main route off the M40 motorway into Leamington from the north and south. The M40 junctions already have large queues at peak times. The A452 is such a busy and dangerous route that a 50mph speed limit was introduced in 2009. There are few local services nearby and so those that do exist are likely to be put under undue pressure by a large gypsy and traveller site.

 
Site GT10 - OBJECT

Convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport: Bishop's Tachbrook only has a branch GP surgery open mornings only Monday, Wednesday and Friday and afternoons only Tuesday and Thursday. Gypsies and travellers are known to have poorer health and higher health needs than the settled population so site GT4 would put undue pressure on an already busy surgery.

Bishop's Tachbrook primary school is a single form entry. Gypsy and traveller families are typically larger than the settled population and so a site with 5, 10 or 15 homes are likely to contain 15, 30 or 45 children. A Department for Education and Skills (2005) report, Ethnicity and Education: The Evidence on Minority Ethnic Pupils, reports that gypsy, Roma and traveller pupils are more likely to be identified as having special educational needs. Bishop's Tachbrook primary school is always at capacity and so may not be able to provide the infrastructure required to support these needs. All the sites identified which lie within Bishop's Tachbrook parish are too remote from major centres with all journeys requiring a motor vehicle.

Public transport is limited within the parish and with no pavements joining the sites to other urban areas, pedestrian access would be dangerous. Gypsies and travellers already have a lower life expectancy than the settled population so introducing them to additional known hazards would be a serious undertaking.

Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site: Site GT10 is on a main road with no pedestrian access making safe access to the road network dangerous.

Avoiding areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance: The Guide Dogs for the Blind National Breeding Centre is on this site. The noise from dogs barking is likely to be detrimental to residents' well-being.

Provision of utilities (running water, toilet facilities, waste disposal, etc): The site is rural and therefore has limited access to utilities.

Avoiding areas where there could be adverse impact on important features of the natural and historic environment: There is a strong potential visual impact on the approach to historic Warwick. Tourism in Warwick is very important to the local economy and any impact would severely damage the town.

Sites which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area: There is a strong potential visual impact on the approach to historic Warwick. Tourism in Warwick is very important to the local economy and any impact would severely damage the town.

Promotes peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community: There is very strong local opposition to siting a gypsy and traveller site in this location as evidenced by the local meeting held on 17th July 2013.

Avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services: The Guide Dogs for the Blind National Breeding Centre is on this site. Gypsies and travellers often have dogs and the issues with cross breeding could be detrimental to the sustainability of the charity. There may also be illnesses or viruses carried by residents' dogs who have brought them from far away and which, if caught by the guide dogs, could be damaging to the charity's work.

Reflects the extent to which traditional lifestyles (whereby some travellers live and work from the same location thereby omitting many travel to work journeys) can contribute to sustainability: The potential for cross breeding or cross contamination with the guide dogs may be damaging to the charitable work undertaken at the site.
Site GT15 - OBJECT

Convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport: Bishop's Tachbrook only has a branch GP surgery open mornings only Monday, Wednesday and Friday and afternoons only Tuesday and Thursday. Gypsies and travellers are known to have poorer health and higher health needs than the settled population so site GT4 would put undue pressure on an already busy surgery.

Bishop's Tachbrook primary school is a single form entry. Gypsy and traveller families are typically larger than the settled population and so a site with 5, 10 or 15 homes are likely to contain 15, 30 or 45 children. A Department for Education and Skills (2005) report, Ethnicity and Education: The Evidence on Minority Ethnic Pupils, reports that gypsy, Roma and traveller pupils are more likely to be identified as having special educational needs. Bishop's Tachbrook primary school is always at capacity and so may not be able to provide the infrastructure required to support these needs. All the sites identified which lie within Bishop's Tachbrook parish are too remote from major centres with all journeys requiring a motor vehicle.

Public transport is limited within the parish and with no pavements joining the sites to other urban areas, pedestrian access would be dangerous. Gypsies and travellers already have a lower life expectancy than the settled population so introducing them to additional known hazards would be a serious undertaking.

Avoiding areas with a high risk of flooding: Site GT15 is on the banks of the Tach Brook. The Environment Agency designates this area as being at likely risk of flooding from rivers or sea without defences. It is also close to Lower Heathcote Farm fishery lakes which pose additional flood risks.

Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site: Site GT15 is on a main road with no pedestrian access making safe access to the road network dangerous.

Avoiding areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance: The traffic noise from the A452 would be detrimental to the residents' well-being.

Provision of utilities (running water, toilet facilities, waste disposal, etc): The site is rural and therefore has limited access to utilities.

Avoiding areas where there could be adverse impact on important features of the natural and historic environment: There is a strong potential visual impact on the approach to historic Warwick. Tourism in Warwick is very important to the local economy and any impact would severely damage the town.

Sites which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area: There is a strong potential visual impact on the approach to historic Warwick. Tourism in Warwick is very important to the local economy and any impact would severely damage the town.

Promotes peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community: There is very strong local opposition to siting a gypsy and traveller site in this location as evidenced by the local meeting held on 17th July 2013.

Avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services: The A452 is the main route off the M40 motorway into Leamington from the north and south. The M40 junctions already have large queues at peak times. The A452 is such a busy and dangerous route that a 50mph speed limit was introduced in 2009. There are few local services nearby and so those that do exist are likely to be put under undue pressure by a large gypsy and traveller site.

Reflects the extent to which traditional lifestyles (whereby some travellers live and work from the same location thereby omitting many travel to work journeys) can contribute to sustainability: Site GT15 is on the banks of the Tach Brook. There is therefore a risk of contamination given that the proposed gypsy and traveller site may be used as a place of work.

General comments
I have lived in Warwick for over 20 years, and as a child grew up in Chesterton, Warwickshire. As a teenager I gave evidence to the Barn Hill Service Station inquiry; objecting to the loss of part of Chesterton Wood and the environmental impact to the hamlet of Chesterton and its wildlife. Obviously we lost that battle (thanks to Mr Heseltine) but I can drive past the M40 services knowing that I used the full process available to state my concerns at the time.

My reasons for comment on the Gypsy and Traveller site options follow that same logic; sites are needed but some sites are wholly unsuitable.

Also, my parents own 9 acres of land close to Middle Farm, Bishops Tachbrook which we use as a family for leisure purposes. The land has been planted with trees and native plants as a sanctuary for wildlife including foxes, badgers, deer, birds of prey as well as bees, butterflies and many birds.

Site Suitability - GT03 Land at Bamwell Farm, Harbury Lane COMMENT

I do not consider this suggested site to be convenient to a GP surgery, school and public transport;
there would be undue pressure on local infrastructure and services. It would be unsafe for pedestrian access to Harbury or Whitnash.

Site Suitability - GT04 Land at Harbury Lane, Fosse Way COMMENT

I do not consider this suggested site to be convenient to a GP surgery, school and public transport;
there would be undue pressure on local infrastructure and services. It would be unsafe for pedestrian access to Harbury or Whitnash.

Site Suitability - GT05 Land at Tachbrook Hill Farm, Banbury Road OBJECT

I do not consider this suggested site to be convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport;
The Banbury Road is still a very fast and busy road and there would not be safe access to the road network. It would be too dangerous for pedestrian access into Bishops Tachbrook to catch public transport or attend the GP surgery.
There would be adverse impact on the landscape and character of the area into historic Warwick. Also there are listed buildings on the site which would be adversely affected by building work.
I don't believe that this proposed site could be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area.
This proposed site would place undue pressure on local infrastructure and services.

Site Suitability - GT06 Land at Park Farm Spinney Farm OBJECT

I do not consider this suggested site to be convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport;
The Banbury Road is still a very fast and busy road and there would not be safe access to the road network. It would be too dangerous for pedestrian access into Warwick until the pavement starts at the junction with Barford Hill.
There would be adverse impact on the landscape and character of the area into historic Warwick.

Site Suitability - GT09 Land to the North East of M40 OBJECT

I do not consider this suggested site to be convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport;
The Banbury Road is still a very fast and busy road and there would not be safe access to the road network. It would be too dangerous for pedestrian access into Bishops Tachbrook to catch public transport or attend the GP surgery.
There would be adverse impact on the landscape and character of the area into historic Warwick. Also there are listed buildings on the site which would be adversely affected by building work.
I don't believe that this proposed site could be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area.
This proposed site would place undue pressure on local infrastructure and services.

Site Suitability - GT10 - Land at Tollgate House and Guide Dogs National Breeding Centre OBJECT

I do not consider this suggested site to be convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport;
The Banbury Road is still a very fast and busy road and there would not be safe access to the road network. It would be too dangerous for pedestrian access into Bishops Tachbrook to catch public transport or attend the GP surgery.
There would be adverse impact on the landscape and character of the area into historic Warwick.
I don't believe that this proposed site could be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area.
This proposed site would place undue pressure on local infrastructure and services.

There is the potential for noise and disturbance to the Guide Dogs National Breeding Centre and Tollgate Farm. This would not p
romote peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community. I would question the viability of the businesses already at this location should the site be developed as proposed.

Site Suitability - GT11 - Land at Budbrooke Lodge, Racecourse and Hampton Road COMMENT

This site would give convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport; and s
afe access to the road network.

There could be
adverse impact on important features of the natural and historic
environment as the Racecourse has varied habitats and ground nesting birds. It is difficult to know if the s
ite can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area. It is also hard to decide if
peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community could be promoted. I am not sure if there would be
undue pressure on local infrastructure and services (including GP, dentist and school places)

I would question if this site is in a flood area. There is
the potential for noise and other disturbance.

Site Suitability - GT12 - Land North and West of Westham Lane OBJECT

This site may give convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport but I am not sure if this would be without undue pressure on the local infrastructure and services in Barford.

I would be surprised if this area does not have a high risk of flooding being so close to the Avon which certainly floods along the A429 towards Wellesbourne.

If there was inadequate GP, dentist, School provision then it would be difficult to promote peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community.

Site Suitability - GT14 - Warwick Road, Norton Lindsey OBJECT

This site may give convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport but I am not sure if this would be without undue pressure on the local infrastructure and services in Norton Lindsey. If there was inadequate GP, dentist, School provision then it would be difficult to promote peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community.

The access to the Warwick Road would be dangerous with blind bends and a notorious dangerous cross roads (New Road and Brittons Lane). It would be dangerous for pedestrians to walk into Norton Lindsey or Warwick along this road as the pavements don't start for some distance.

I would question the impact to the viability of the poultry business if this site was developed as proposed.

Site Suitability - GT15 - Land East of Europa Way OBJECT

This site would be inconvenient for access to a GP surgery, school and public transport. The nearest would be Heathcote/Warwick Gates/Whitnash. There is already a huge problem with the lack of school places as Warwick Gates has not had the school built that was required. This would put undue pressure on services and not promote the peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local communities.

With the Tach Brook so close is the area at risk of flooding and could there be an adverse impact on the natural environment if the site was used for domestic and business operations. Europa Way is a busy road and it would be unsafe to access the road network on the gradual bend. There is no pedestrian access.

Site Suitability - GT16 - Land West of A429 Barford OBJECT

This site may give convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport but I am not sure if this would be without undue pressure on the local infrastructure and services in Barford.

I would be surprised if this area does not have a high risk of flooding being so close to the Avon which certainly floods along the A429 towards Wellesbourne.

If there was inadequate GP, dentist, School provision then it would be difficult to promote peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community.

Site Suitability - GT17 - Service area west of A46 Old Budbrooke Way COMMENT

I am not sure if this site would give convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport. If this was from Hampton Magna or Warwick the pedestrian access would need to be improved. Although there is a footpath across the A46 this is so busy it would be too dangerous for pedestrians especially children. I think the A46 is prone to flooding on the west side. There would be safe a
ccess to the road network for a vehicle to join the A46 from the garage slip road.

This site would only promote peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community if there was no
undue pressure on local infrastructure and services. Budbrooke School in Hampton Magna already has a problem with over-subscription because the new Hatton Park housing estate has never had a school built.

Site Suitability - GT18 - Service area East of A46 Old Budbrooke Way COMMENT

There is possible convenient access to a GP surgery on the Woodloes or Cape Road and schools/public transport in Warwick. Pedestrian access through the Racecourse would be a possibility. School, dentist and GP places would have to be increased in Warwick otherwise there would be undue pressure on local services and it would not promote peaceful and integrated co-existence.

There would be safe access to the A46 road network for a vehicle, There could be an impact on the natural environment of the Racecourse wildlife and habitat.

Site Suitability - GT19 - Land off Birmingham Road, Budbrooke, Oaklands Farm COMMENT

This site would provide convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport either in Hampton Magna or Warwick. There is pedestrian access along the Birmingham Road into Warwick and Hampton Magna. The speedlimit is lower on this stretch of the Birmingham Road to make the access to the road network safe. I do not know if the site is prone to flooding with the Gog Brook and Canal close by. There could be environmental concerns but businesses with high risk of pollution (farm/petrol station) operate from this stretch of the Birmingham Road at the moment.

To promote peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community there would have to be improvements to service provision, particularly schooling provision in Warwick or Hampton Magna as Hatton Park Estate already over-subscribes Budbrooke School.


Site Suitability - GT20 - Land at Junction 15 M40 OBJECT

20 years ago development at J15 M40 for a service station was dismissed by Mr Hesletine. I can't remember all the reasons but presumably they still stand for any type of development at this location.

This proposed site is inconvenient for access to a GP surgery, school and public transport. There are no footpaths into Hampton on the Hill or Warwick. There would be safe access to the road network for vehicles. Substantial investment for the provision of utilities (running water, toilet facilities, waste disposal, etc) would appear to be necessary for this site. There could be adverse impact on important features of the natural environment with the two water courses close by.

Peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community would not be achieved unless there is extra resource for local infrastructure and services improvements including school and dentist provision.

GT01 / GT02 / GT07 / GT08 / GT13
I don't have sufficient knowledge of the locations to comment.

I do not have any other suggestions for suitable land in the District

See Attached

see attached

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to make my objections to the Gypsy and Traveller Site (G&TS) options clear.
It is clear that when considering G&TS's the following must be considered:
Convenient access to a GP surgery, school and public transport
Is Bishops Tachbrook being penalised for having a part time GP surgery? It is extremely difficult to get an appointment within a week at the local surgery. More often than not I have to travel to Sydenham to the main full time surgery to get an urgent appointment. What will be the impact if 6 G&TS sites are created around Bishops Tachbrook. Will the GP surgery expand, including longer opening hours and more than 1 GP and 1 nurse as is the current standard?
Gypsies and Travellers experience the worst health status of any disadvantaged group in England. Life expectancy is 12 years less for a woman and 10 years less for men than amongst the settled community. Baring in mind these statistics this would suggest an increased usage of medical facilities
In 2007, 2.7% of children of Gypsy/Romany origin and 8.4 % of traveller children of Irish heritage achieved 5 or more A* to C grades or equivalent exams including English and Mathematics in England compared to a national average of 45.4%. 8% of Gypsy and Traveller mothers have experienced the death of a child compared to less than 1% of the settled community. This could put a major strain on the already overworked education and medical facilities already available in the area.
The GP Surgeries in Bishops Tachbrook & Whitnash are at capacity and would be unable to cope with an influx of new patients. There is no dental care provision in Bishops Tachbrook.
The Catholic Primary in Whitnash, St Josephs' has had to turn away Catholics with siblings already at the school as it has such a high application rate. Is the council going to supply additional funds to help support these children's needs? Given that the parents of many of these children are unable to read & write themselves they are not in a position to help children with their own learning and this identifies yet another pressure point. As an adult not being able to read & write seriously narrows down the type of work you would be able to apply for, there are limited employers within in the village of Bishops Tachbrook therefore there is no immediate local economy for them to join with.
Avoiding areas with a high risk of flooding
Field on the corner of Mallory Road, Banbury Road floods on each side whenever there is a significant rainfall. Sites GT05, GT06, GT09 and GT10 are all prone to flooding.
Provision of utilities
Who would be expected to provide this? Sites GT05, GT06, GT09 and GT10 do not have adequate provision of utilities such as sewerage, drainage, gas and water.
Safe access to the road network and provision for parking, turning and servicing on site
Sites GT05,GT06, GT09 and GT10 are all on very major roads with no means of pedestrian access. There are no bus routes and they are all fast moving roads.
Avoiding areas where there is the potential for noise and other disturbance
Banbury Road is the main road off the M40 for people travelling from both the North and the South. GT05, GT06, GT09 and GT10 are all bordering the M40 meaning that these sites will be very noisy for occupants. GT05 is in extremely close proximityto residents of Bishops Tachbrook and so any noise from this site would have a major effect on current residents.
Avoiding areas where there could be adverse impact on important features of the natural and historic environment
St Chads church in Bishops Tachbrook has many historical features. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book. GT05 and GT09 are both situated on the approach to Bishops Tachbrook and would be the first visual sight that visitors would see of the village.
Sites which can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area.
It is difficult to think of any area at all that would meet this criteria. The character of the area around GT05, GT09 and GT10 is agricultural farm land. I fail to see how a G&TS would integrate into this landscape without harming the character of the area.
Promotes peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and local community
I would suggest this is highly unlikely due to the level of local disagreement with the proposed sites, in particular GT05, GT09 and GT10. I have concerns over the level of noise that any sites may incur, both from the inhabitants and also the local community expressing their objections. Local residents have discussed various methods of protest if these plans are to go ahead. Various residents have offered financial assistance regarding legal advice. The press and local MP's have been engaged and shown their support.
Avoids placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services
Will additional funding be provided to the village school to support with the proposed number of children likely to attend? If not will a new school be built to support in this area? Will this cause a change in the catchment areas for the school? It would be unfair for tax paying residents to be moved out of the catchment area to accommodate these new developments.
The school in Bishops Tachbrook is single form entry and is already oversubscribed. G&TS of 5,10 or 15 are likely to provide homes for 10,20 or 30 children. A small school which is always at capacity is unlikely to be able to provide the infrastructure required to support the needs of the proposed sites. The school does not have the resource to support children that have received very little if any formal education. They will struggle to integrate into the local school environment.
The school also relies on the parent teacher working relationship meaning that parents support the school by giving up their time to help teach and read with pupils. It is known that 81% of Gypsy and Traveller children's parents are illiterate. This will mean no support for the school. It will also mean that these children will require even more support from existing parents. The extra support that these children will need will put the current children at a disadvantage. The school is simply not equipped to deal with the needs of these children.
There are already concerns that the secondary schools in the area are oversubscribed and that there is not adequate provision for the current population of the parish. Any additional strain on these numbers will only make the situation worse.
There is a grade 1 listed church and a sports and social club built through local fund raising. There is a small local shop, a hairdresser and one public house. That is it.
The villagers choose to live with limited resources as they prefer the quiet friendly community feel of the village.
There are limited public transport options in the area with limited bus services and no train routes. Reaching a place of employment with public transport would be extremely difficult.

Reflects the extent to which traditional lifestyles (whereby some travellers live and work from the same location thereby omitting many travel to work journeys) can contribute to sustainability
I would suggest that it is a small minority of Gypsy and Travellers that live and work from the same location. I would be interested to see the evidence to show how a Gypsy and Traveller site can support local sustainability in this area.
Specific sites
GT05, GT09- Vehicle access is onto a very busy main road, with vehicles travelling at speed. To introduce caravans and mobile homes turning into the site would be dangerous. Additional traffic at the junction of Mallory Road & Banbury Road would put too much strain on an already busy junction onto a road where cars are travelling at speed, because of the north and southbound approaches to junction 13 of the M40. This is not an easy junction to get out of especially if you have to move slowly due to pulling a trailer or caravan.
Given the proximity of 50mph roads next to this site what are the provisions for the safety and security of both people & animals? For instance a horse on the Banbury Road especially a loose one could end in fatalities. As could loose dogs.
No pedestrian access and to create any would be dangerous. There are also no pavements between this site and the village, nor the main Banbury Road. For any children living on this site the walk to school will be extremely dangerous. There are no bus stops in the immediate vicinity and nowhere safe to put one. Cycling would be hazardous
The potential visual impact would be devastating on the approach to the Historical Warwick town and could discourage visitors and tourists. There are listed buildings on this site in need of protection. The proposed location is not in an area that can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area which is stipulated as a Site Requirement within the WDC Consultation Document. It would be the first thing that people see when travelling into the village from the M40
This site does not provide utilities. There are no gas, sewerage or drainage facilities.
GT06 - Very remote from main centres and no means of pedestrian access
GT10 - Close to the Guide Dogs for the Blind National Breeding Centre. The risk of disease from any unvaccinated animals belonging to Gypsies and Travellers could be devastating. Given the proximity of 50mph roads next to this site what are the provisions for the safety and security of both people & animals? For instance a horse on the Banbury Road especially a loose one could end in fatalities. As could loose dogs.
Vehicle access is onto a very busy main road, with vehicles travelling at speed. To introduce caravans and mobile homes turning into the site would be dangerous.
The proposed location is not in an area that can be integrated into the landscape without harming the character of the area which is stipulated as a Site Requirement within the WDC Consultation Document.
GT15 - site located on the banks of the Tachbrook. There could be a chance of contamination, given that the proposed site may be used as a place of work. Europa Way is an already congested road and adding further traffic to this mix could be devastating.
Sites GT05, GT06, GT09 and GT10 are currently homes to many forms of farm and wildlife animals. They are also working farm land.
Other considerations
6 out of the 20 sites have been proposed around the small unique village of Bishops Tachbrook.
Are the sites identified in and around Bishops Tachbrook too remote from the main infrastructure of Leamington Spa or Warwick to be suitable for this type of development?
On behalf of Warwick District Council, Salford University has determined that there is a requirement for 25 pitches initially expanding to 31. Why the need for so many propsed sites then?
Who will monitor the sites. It is my understanding that the sites will be operated by Gypsy and Travellers and not Warwick District Council. If this is the case how can concerns such as noise pollution land pollution and overcrowding be controlled?
Recommendations state that the size of each site must be between 5 and 15 pitches but does not specify how many people can populate this sites. What plans have been put in place to ensure that what happened at Dale Farm does not happen again. This was where a legitimate site expanded?
What about the effect on house prices in the general area around these sites?
What will be the visual impact on Bishops Tachbrook village and surrounding area. Will it have an impact on tourism in the area?
Where will the Gypsy and Traveller community find work locally? All the sites suggested are too remote from employment and facilities and so are unsuitable for this type of development.
All proposed sites are on busy roads where it would be a danger for any children to wait for transport to school.
Why are 15 of the proposed sites in the south of Warwick & Leamington? The small village of Bishops Tachbrook has 6 of these proposals within a mile of it, 3 are on its immediate doorstep. Potentially all of these sites could be approved and the very nature of our community and how the approach to our village would look would be irrevocably changed. The effect on Bishops Tachbrook would be devastating to our way of life. This is not acceptable nor a reasonable request for the council to make.
There is no statement from the Gypsy Council of Great Britain or any other organising body on behalf of the Gypsy & Traveller community, within your brochure/document, that they wish to join our community in Warwickshire or anywhere else. Perhaps this is because they have no desire to permanently live here? What evidence does the council have that the Gypsy & Traveller community wish to use these sites as a permanently settled site with a fixed maximum number of 15 Pitches? You also do not state how many people are able to live within a pitch or who is responsible for the site. Due diligence has not taken place here. I appreciate that you state the Regional Spatial Strategy & commissioned Salford University have produced a report but you have failed to put any meaningful back up data into this document . Therefore I have to question the validity of the study as you have not put it in the information you are handing out. Where is the proof that so many sites are needed? Much needed data is missing here & the council are remiss in leaving it out.
You also state that the Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Assessment shows a need for 31 pitches, 25 within the first five years & a further 6-8 transit pitches over the Plan period. Yet the brochure you have produced is only showing 19 of these. Why are you not identifying where all these sites will potentially be? Are you planning to use these larger identified areas to put up multiple sites? Please be clear & honest!
Your brochure has not been laid out in a way that makes for easy & understandable reading. For instance sites GT05 & GT09 in reality face each other on opposite sides of the Banbury Road yet in your document the numbers on the map are shown as far away from each other as possible and are shown in map form pages apart from each other & at different scales & angles. This also occurs for site GT06 which is opposite GT09. You are failing to make your documentation easy to read & this is inexcusable.
Sites GT05, GT06, GT09, GT10 are all next to each other meaning that of all these sites are successful there would be a huge Gypsy encampment in a small area.
The images you are using on your front cover, page 3 & page 4 are clearly stock images of holiday camping sites. They are not permanent sites and they are certainly not Gypsy & Traveller sites. Why is the council not using real images from existing successful sites to give an honest & truthful photographic representation of how these sites will look?
Proposals
Has the area next to the police site on the west side of Europa Way in between GT06 and GT15 been considered. This could have access onto one of 4 roads and would have a high Police presence.
A further alternative site and one that is a much more suitable at addressing the issues that are set out in Section 4 of the consultation document is on the opposite side of Stratford Road, Warwick to Aylesford School. This site is located within walking distance of medical, educational and recreational facilities.
It is located on a straight section of road with good sight lines and a 40 mph speed limit. It is served by bus routes and has wide pedestrian footpaths. This site is also set back from the road so would provide some protection from any negative visual impact.
Other comments
The instructions for this plan are very unclear. I have been advised that a separate letter needs to be submitted for each proposed site but I can not see anywhere that this is mentioned for email responses, this is unclear. If that is the case I have grave concerns that this consultation has not achieved its legal goal of "improving the efficiency, transparency and public involvement in large-scale projects or laws and policies" as people do not know how to respond in the correct manner.

I request to know the name of the authorised Gypsy site shown in your brochure.
Whilst I appreciate that WDC are under instruction to provide sites I would suggest that the proposed sites around the Bishops Tachbrook area are in the wrong places. This community is already stretched to capacity. I fail to see how the G &T could contribute to our small community.

see attached

see attached

see attached

Objection to the number of proposed allocations of gypsy and traveller sites in unspoiled Warwickshire countryside

References:
1. Planning Policy for Traveller Sites, Communities & Local Government, 2113371, March 2012
2. WDC Local Plan, Sites for Gypsies and Travellers, June 2013

Reference 1, Paragraph 14 states that traveller sites in Green Belt areas are inappropriate.
Of the proposed sites identified in Reference 2 for consideration as gypsy and traveller sites, 40% are within Green Belt areas. These are GT01, 7, 8, 13, 14, 18, 19 and 20. 40% is stretching the spirit of Reference 1 and this is objected to. The remaining 60% are mostly away from schooling and health centres except GT16. GT16 has no proper drainage as yet. Drainage or not, I would be concerned about the river regarding water quality downstream of this proposed site. Ditto GT01, GT09 and GT10.
If travellers meet the definition of a traveller given in Annex 1 of Reference 1, how does WDC know whether the travellers are "within their area"? Some explanation would be welcomed.

There are 20 proposed gypsy and traveller sites in one small corner of Warwickshire. Paragraph 23 of the Government Planning Policy (Reference 1) states that local planning authorities should strictly limit new traveller site development in open countryside. I object to Reference 2 in its entirety because it very much appears to be in direct conflict with the Paragraph 23 of this Government Planning Policy.

End.

I am objecting to the gypsy sites surrounding the Bishops Tachbrook area.

Site 3. Very remote from major amenities
Site 4 Very remote from major amenities
Site 5. Access onto a very busy road, no pedestrian access. Potential visual impact on the approach to historic Warwick, putting off tourists.
Site 6. Very remote from main centres and no pedestrian access.
Site 9. Access onto a very busy main road, no pedestrian access. Potential visual impact to approach to historic Warwick, putting off tourists.
Site 10. Close to guide dogs for the blind national breeding centre.
Site 15. Site located on the banks of the tachbrook, so possible contamination if site used for business.

General considerations.

Remoteness. The sites identified in Bishops Tachbrook parish are too remote from the major centres to be suitable for this type of development.
Access. All sites are on very major roads with no pedestrian access.
Undue pressure on infrastructure and services. The school in Bishops Tachbrook is a single form entry. Even small gypsy sites could have many children that the school wouldn't be able to cope with.

see attached

I wish to object against the following sites for gypsies and travellers:-

* Site 6
* Site 9
* Site 12
* Site 16
* Site 20

For the following reasons:-

*Site 16 is the flood compensation area from the Barford bypass build and contains a permanent central pond and is therefore unsuitable for any development.

*Sites 12 and 16 sit within/immediately adjacent to areas identified by the Environment Agency as having a significant risk of flooding.

*Sites 12 and 16 - apparently water voles reside here and immediately adjacent to these sites. These are a legally protected species.

*Sites 12 and 16 do not offer adequate pedestrian crossing facilities for safe access to Barford village.

*Sites 6 and 9 are situated on historic landfills which though closed may still have the potential to release greenhouse gases and are therefore unsuitable for habitation.

*Site 20 is situated adjacent to historic landfills which though closed may still have the potential to release greenhouse gases and are therefore unsuitable for habitation.

*Sites 6 and 9 sit immediately adjacent to the Asps which WDC decided should remain open due to its value as a backdrop to Warwick Castle Park. The Revised Development Strategy therefore excludes the Asps and should also esclude the adjoining sites 6 and 9 for the same reason.

*Sites 6 and 9 - there have been a number of reported wild deer sighting on this land and there is a population of deer that freely roam across the Castle grounds on to these 2 sites and beyond.

*Sites 12 and 16 are accessed by vehicles from the A429 which was constructed as a bypass to Barford village. It is a 60 mph road and there have been a significant number of accidents on it since it opened, including a fatality. The additional traffic will exacerbate this issue due to the inadequate access from this major trunk road.

*Sites 6, 9, 12, 16, 20 are not sustainable in terms of multi modal accessibility. None of the sites offer the ability to access local community facilities (schools, doctors surgeries, shops for site 20) on foot or bike via pedestrian footpaths or cycle routes or by bus. The only means of access is by car which would place further pressure on the local highway network infrastructure.

*Sites 6, 9, 12, 16, 20 - development would lead to an unacceptable loss of farmland and rural employment rendering the isolated sites totally unviable.

*Sites 6, 9, 12, 16, 20 - development would have a material negative impact on the local primary schools particularly Barford St Peters with it's requirement to provide 70-90 new homes during the plan period.

*Sites 6, 9, 12, 16, 20 - WDC have disregarded their own Rural Areas policy especially 1 - New Housing, 6 - New Employment, 10 - Safeguarding Rural Roads and 15 - camping and caravan sites. In all respects the sites fail to meet the policy criteria to allow any form of development.

*Sites 6, 9, 12, 16, 20 - are not locations which allow peaceful and integrated co-existence with the local community.

We would like to make objection to the following proposed Gypsy & Traveller sites identified as potential locations by the Warwickshire District Council -

GT03.
GT05.
GT06.
GT09.
GT10.
GT15.

We are opposed to these locations as we feel the local infrastructure would not support the needs that such a site would require. We have numerous concerns which we feel would need to be addressed before even giving consideration for consent on these sites -

1. The effect on the Quality of Life to the village.
2. The safety & security of the village residents.
3. The potential effect on the Crime rates to the village.
4. The effect to the value of the House Prices.
5. The effect to the cost of House Insurance.

We are a small village & many of us have been bought up in this very friendly & happy community, and we are strongly opposed to having this jeopardised with the introduction of these traveller sites, which historically have caused misery to the local areas they have been placed by.

Please take our feelings into consideration. We look forward to your response.

SEE ATTACHED

Dear Sirs

We wish to object to a number of proposed sites as follows:

GT05, GT06. GT09, GT10 and GT20 - all these sites are too close to either busy main roads/motorways. There would be too much noise for travellers and the sites could cause a distraction to drivers on these nearby roads resulting in accidents.

GT09 and GT10 - safe entry and exit from these sites would not be possible and would be hazardous.

GT05 and GT10 - these sites are in close proximity to Oakley Wood and the Crematorium. Oakley Wood is a public amenity and is currently undergoing major regeneration as outlined in the Woodland Management Plan put in place by Warwick District Council. The Crematorium is a space for reflection and remembrance. Any increased activity from a nearby travellers site could be harmful to the current balance and harmony of the Wood and would almost certainly result in a reduction in numbers using the Crematorium and also the Wood.

GT10 - The Guide Dogs for the Blind breeding centre is a world renowned facility providing an extremely important service. Any disturbance would be counter-productive to the high standard of service provided by the breeding centre.

We are at a loss to understand why new sites, affecting the landscape, need to be found. There are existing caravan sites at Fields Farm Harbury, The Croft Hasely Knob, Heathcote Lakes, Oaklands Farm Budbrooke, Pitts Farm Shrewley and Warwick Racecourse - surely it would be possible to extend and/or convert these to travellers sites.

An area not being considered but which we feel would be suitable is land leading from Europa Way enclosed on 2 sides by Harbury Lane and Heathcote Lane adjacent to Heathcote Industrial Estate. This land is already a popular location and well used with the travelling community.

We wish our comments to be submitted to the public consultation process currently being held.

Dear Sir,
As a resident of Bishops Tachbrook, I wish to place on record my strong objections to the proposed plans within the area near to Bishops Tachbrook. As a council tax payer I hope that my objections will be heard and taken into consideration as there are potentially seven sites within the local area which seems very un- proportionate. Are the district council trying to force unwanted sites on small local communities which may be unable to defend the locals wishes?
In accordance with the considerations for site requirements I would comment as follows.
Site 4) Is very remote from major developments.
Site 5) Has access only on to a very busy road, no pedestrian access and a potential visual impact on the approach to Historic Warwick. Listed Buildings are also on the site.
Site 6) Very remote from main Centres and no means of pedestrian access.
Site 9) Has access only on to a very busy road, no pedestrian access and a potential visual impact on the approach to Historic Warwick. Listed Buildings are also on the site.
Site 10) Close to guide dogs for the blind national breeding centre with potential disruption to valuable life changing work done by this organisation.
Site 15) Site located on the banks of the Tachbrook which could lead to a potential chance of contamination, given that the proposed Gypsy Traveller site may be used as a place of work.
In general these plans being looked to be forced upon the residents of Bishops Tachbrook are unsuitable due to the remoteness of the sites, away from major centres. The access are on major roads with no means of pedestrian access. The site could place undue pressure on infrastructure and services. Bishops Tachbrook School is always at capacity and may not be able to provide the infrastructure required to support the needs.
I wish to strongly object to these plans and place my views on record.

see attached

see attached

see attached

Dear Sirs

Gypsy and Traveller Site Options

Firstly may I apologise for not submitting an online consultation form. The process took longer than expected with multiple problems online and extremely difficult to use hence the version by letter.

Part A

The information required in addition to my address is:
Telephone number: 01926 624455 / 07767 767565
Email: Amanda.griffin@expom.co.uk
Would you like to be made aware of future consultations on Gypsy Traveller sites - YES
Gender: Female
Ethinic origin: White British
Age: 45 - 54
Method of learning about consultation: newspaper

Part B

Commenting on the Gypsy and Traveller Site Options.

I would like to refer my comments specifically to the following sites:
GT05, GT06, GT09, GT10, GT12, GT15, GT16, GT17, GT18, GT20.

I would like to OBJECT to the proposal of all these sites for the reasons stated below. I have based my objections on the suitability and sustainability criteria used in the WDC consultation document.

* Site 16 - is actually the flood compensation area from the Barford bypass build and contains a permanent central pond and is unsuitable for any form of development. No one from WDC can have surveyed this possible location ahead of consultation.

* Sites 6 and 9 - sit immediately approximate to the Asps which Warwick District Council decided, after further research regarding the landscape and transport impact of development, that site should remain open due its value as a backdrop to the historic Warwick Castle Park. The Revised Development Strategy, therefore, excludes the Asps and should also exclude the adjoining sites 6 and 9 for the same reasons.

* Sites 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 - the sites are not sustainable in terms of multi modal accessibility. None of the sites offer the ability to access local community facilities (schools, doctors surgeries etc) on foot or on bike via pedestrian footpaths or cycle routes, or by bus. The only means of accessibility is by car which would place further pressure on the local highway network infrastructure and is unsustainable.

* Sites 12 and 16 - sit within (part) and otherwise immediately adjacent to areas identified by the Environment Agency as having significant flood risk. Extensive flooding has taken place in both sites earlier this year.


* Sites 6 and 9 - These sites are situated on historic landfills which though closed may still have the potential to release greenhouse gases and are unsuitable for any form of permanent habitation and occupation.

* Sites 10 and 20 - These sites are situated adjacent to historic landfills which though closed may still have the potential to release greenhouse gases are unsuitable for any form of permanent habitation and occupation.

* Sites 5, 6, 9, 10, 12 and 16 - development would have a material negative impact on the capacity of Barford St. Peter's School, especially given the village's status as a "Secondary Service Village" and it's likely requirement to provide 70-90 new dwellings during the Plan period.

* Sites 12 and 16 - a number of residents have reported the existence of water voles in and immediately adjacent to these sites. Water voles are, of course, now a legally protected species.

* Sites 6 and 9 - there have been a number of reported wild deer sightings on this land and there is a population of deer that roam freely across the Castle grounds on to these 2 sites and beyond.

* Sites 12 and 16 - there is inadequate pedestrian crossing facilities for safe access into the village.

* Sites 5, 6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 - the development of all of these sites could not take place without a material adverse effect on the landscape and could not be integrated without harming the visual amenity of the sites.

* Sites 5, 6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 - WDC have disregarded their own Rural Area Policies, especially RAPs 1 (New Housing), 6 (New Employment), 10 (Safeguarding Rural Roads) and 15 (Camping and caravan Sites). In all respects the sites fail to meet the policy criteria to allow any form of development.

* Sites 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 - are not locations which allow peaceful and integrated co-existence with the local community.

* Sites 5, 6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 - development would lead to an unacceptable loss of farmland and rural employment, rendering the isolated sites (eg site 12) totally unviable.

* Sites 12 and 16 - vehicular access to these sites is from the A429 trunk road which was constructed as a bypass to Barford. It is a 60 mph speed limit road and there have been a significant number of accidents on it since its opening, including a fatality. The existing access into the sites is entirely inadequate.


* Sites 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 - vehicular access to these sites is from an already heavily utilised road network. Access and egress to and from these sites to the highways network would not be safe.

My general comments relating to ALL of the above sites are:

* WDC should have identified brownfield sites within the existing urban areas of Kenilworth, Warwick and Leamington for Gypsies and Travellers. These sites would be more suitable and sustainable, and would enable better integration in to the local community. Despite such sites existing, they are all being proposed for redevelopment for more valuable uses.

* WDC should consider allocating an area of land to the south of Warwick and Leamington including The Asps and Sites 5, 6, 9, 10 as Greenbelt to provide a 'buffer' to the proposed developments to the south of Warwick and Leamington and/or to extend the proposed Bishops Tachbrook Country Park as far as the Banbury Road near to Warwick Castle Park. This would ensure the villages in the south of the District retain their identity and are not 'swallowed up' by Warwick and Leamington over time.

* Availability - only 3 of the sites listed are available, namely sites 15, 17 and 18. By definition the remaining sites are not deliverable. A compulsory purchase order would be extremely lengthy, costly and unviable compared to other options.

* WDC should be requiring Gypsy and Traveller sites are delivered within the proposed major new housing developments in Kenilworth, Warwick and Leamington where 12,300 houses are proposed. This would ensure that the sites could be properly designed in a sustainable fashion and be fully integrated into a local community which will provide facilities such as a school, a doctors surgery and shops which are accessible on foot, on bike, by bus and by car.

* WDC should revisit its Greenbelt Policy and release sites to the north of Warwick and Leamington which would reduce the pressure to allocate land for all forms of development during the new Local Plan period to the south of the District.

* Ecology and Environment - all of the sites have some ecological value and environmental issues which does not appear to have been assessed.

The consultation document published by WDC June 2013 misrepresents proposed size and visual impact of a completed site! Pictures used on page 3 and page 4 are from holiday caravan sites. The proposal of each pitch being 500 sqm each in size is omitted from the document and is misleading. Approved, licenced Gypsy and Traveller sites do not look like that in WDC 's consultation document.