Village Housing Options and Settlement Boundaries

LOCAL PLAN - VILLAGE HOUSING OPTIONS and SETTLEMENT BOUNDARIES CONSULTATION - November 2013

We are writing on behalf of the Hampton-on-the-Hill Residents (HOTHRA) to OBJECT to the issues raised in the above document and in particular the section dealing with Hampton Magna on pages 44 and 45.

Our OBJECTIONS are based on:-

1. The Plan seems not to have taken into account the comments made in July 2013 concerning the housing estimate of 12,300 which had increased from 10,800. An independent assessment, supported by our local MP, Mr. Chris White, of the likely requirement being 5,400 has been ignored. We argue that a lesser number than 12,800 obviates the need to find room in the nominated villages.

Therefore the 'housing estimate' needs re-assessment.

2. If Hampton Magna were to still be in the Plan, consideration must be given to the impact an additional 100-150 dwellings would have on existing amenities. The increase of some 300 residents (greater than the population of Hampton-on-the-Hill) would mean that the amenities would be unable to cope and the quality of life in the village will be adversely affected.
Budbrooke School is already at capacity; the single road that runs through the villages is used as a 'rat run' for traffic to and from Warwick Parkway station, the M40 motorway and Aylesford School which indicates that the existing road infrastructure is inadequate. This situation is exacerbated when there is an incident on the M40 requiring traffic to detour onto the A46 causing chaotic congestion at and around Stanks roundabout which prevents residents from Budbrooke having access to the A4177.
The Plan seems to have acknowledged there is a problem by the statement on Page 44 - 'Key Housing Issues' - ......" The impact of development on traffic and existing infrastructure (sewage/drainage) will need to be carefully considered".

We suggest that these issues must be dealt with before any dwellings are added.

3. Access to Hampton Magna is by three main routes; Old Budbrooke Road (Warwick Parkway Station); Ugly Bridge Road and through Hampton-on-the-Hill. The construction traffic to build the proposed 100-150 new dwellings will be unable to use Ugly Bridge which is unsuitable for heavy traffic, nor via Old Budbrooke Road where at Warwick Parkway Station the bridge has just 12 Ft. 6 inch headroom (too low for heavy vehicles) which leaves only the route through Hampton-on-the-Hill for all the heavy construction. An unacceptable situation.

Consideration should be given to creating a separate new access road to deal with this issue and the associated costs incorporated in any assessment.

Please give these points your very careful consideration.