Issue and Options 2023

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There are considerable challenges in terms of existing infrastructure - water, utilities, broadband in South Warwickshire and Lapworth Parish is a good example. Much of the area is not connected to main sewers and storm drains are poor or inadequatly maintained eg the closure of the Old Warwick Road due to flooding. Climate change is leading to more frequent 1 :100 year floods and a programme of infrastructure improvement throughout the area should be aimplemented over the next 30 years over and above any infrastructure required by new developments. Much of rural SW outside the towns relies on fossil fuel for heating and this makes Net Zero Carbon reductions a challenge. The plan refers in part to a "stick" approach to reducing reliance on fossiil fuels eg the suggested option below to require any application for planning permission (even the most minor such as a dropped kerb) to include a full net zero refit to achieve at least category C energy efficienty but fails to refer to any "carrot" schemes. in other areas County and District Councils have taken the lead in energy generation eg Telford and Wrekin solar farm but no provision is identified for this. We are unable to comment on the deliverability of the proposals as this lies outside our expertise. The Sustainability appraisals should however consider all aspects not just whether areas are on a railway corridor.

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Use of existing brownfield land (and encouraging that in surrounding Housing areas) makes good sense and Lapworth parish Council would encourage consideration to be given to a "placemaking" approach rather than piecemeal activity as this will encourage people to want to live and work in brownfield areas. Use of brownfield land should be encouraged in preference to greenfield development and a higher weight should be given to this than the sustainable travel imperative.

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We believe that the work undertaken so far is a reasonable start but that it is incomplete and potentially misleading. There are many more factors to be considered than the ones that are there at present not least that focusing simply on rail corridors will fail to future proof transport strategies and .accessibility. Lapworth Parish Council looks forward to the opportunity to discuss all the potential sites in Lapworth/Kingswood in more details if they are taken forward to the next stages. We would point out that Lapworth/Kingswood is missing from the Index for Appendix 2. This omission may reduce the number of responses to this consultation. We would also point out that the Heritage Assessment does not include some important elements eg Harborough Banks scheduled ancient monument elements of which may be present within the Kingswood area and the listed Mill House. The ancient woodland at Packwood House and Baddersley Clinton are also not referenced.

It is not possible for us to comment on the methodology used here as we are not experts. we would however make the point that over the next 30 years electric cars will be much more prevelant than fossil fuel cars and that this will negate much of the net zero argument for basing new settlements around railway stations. Presumably emphasis will also be placed by national, regional and local government on upgrading housing stock which again will impact on projected carbon emissions. It would seem sensible to adopt a hybrid approach focusing on a variety of transport options and economic opportunities when planning development.

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Rail is inflexible for users and subject to external pressures such as government franchises, strikes etc. Most local stations such as Lapworth have infrequent stopping services, small car parks (14 car spaces) and this does not provide an adequate service for the elderly or young. We believe that the advent of electric vehicles and autonomous cars will prove more effective to achieving safe and inclusive transport equality in the more rural areas of South Warwickshire. We consider a hybrid approach focusing on a variety of transport and economy based options the most appropriate option. We note that the summary in table 6 for Lapworth is very misleading - the M40 SRN is accessed via a series of narrow B and C roads unsuited for heavy traffic constrained by rail and canal bridges many of which are listed. No mention is made of the ancient woodland in the area (and ? ancient hedgerows. The existing area has poor street lighting, narrow or non existing pavements

It is not possible as a lay person to comment meaningfully on this but it would be interesting to know what assumptions have been made when the model was created.