Object

Representation ID: 9386

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: CPRE Warwickshire Branch

Site 4 should be reduced to the land between Tithe Barn Lane and the Stratford Canal west of the Whitchurch Lane area of Dickens Heath (c.100 dwellings). The rest of Site 4 should be omitted from the Local Plan.
Objection based on:
Residents objections in Dickens Heath PC survey
Disproportionate housing allocation in Blythe ward
Impact on Green Belt
Conflict with urban form of Dickens Heath new village
Unsustainable location (low accessibility to services)
Increased traffic will worsen peak-hour congestion
Limited scale of replacement of sports pitches
Impact on Local Wildlife Sites
Impact on historic landscape and important hedgerows

Allocation chosen due to is its location close to Whitlocks End railway station. The allocation does not accord, or can be made to accord with the spatial strategy and sequential approach adopted in the Local Plan Review. Analysis of the sustainability and constraints of this Site are flawed and inaccurate. not consistent with the paragraph on how settlements have green belt separating them, because this proposal will reduce the gap to one field only which is not green belt. Other sites in the Borough with a lower Green Belt scoring are more suitable for development.
results of Dickens Heath residents survey found (over 90%) that the residents of Dickens Heath are strongly opposed to the proposed allocation of Site 4. Excessive housing proposed compared with elsewhere in the Borough, so does not contribute to geographical distribution. This is an excessive burden placed on such a small area without the ability to improve the road network accordingly. Allocation does not accord with government policy on green belt. The Council has not fully examined the infrastructure requirements that would justify and mitigate altering the Green Belt in this location. There would be an adverse impact on the function of the Green Belt, as there would be coalescence between Dickens Heath, Whitlock End and Majors Green. Development of Site 4, not within recognised walking distance (800m) of the Village Centre and outside the strong natural boundaries of the Village would be contrary to the original objectives of the settlement. Former farmsteads will be affected by the proposal. Dickens Heath should therefore be identified in the Local Plan as having a particular character and design and that there should be limits to its continued growth in terms of numbers and direction; the Village should be protected and conserved as a "new village," together with its character and setting in the countryside. Original concept of village was based on accessibility to reduce use of private car this proposal is not sustainable and is not accessible. Cost of developing land may be unsustainable. Flood risk has not been properly established. Proposal would not meet the objective of reducing the need to travel. Site 4 would depend on the use of narrow rural roads which still currently retain the character of countryside, major road improvements would be necessary. This will require the removal of established and important hedgerows and mature trees which greatly add to and enhance the character and setting of the Village on its western side. Road network was not intended for more traffic. development would conflict with ecological objectives. This Site 4 is within a landscape character area of high sensitivity to development.