‘Recipe for gridlock’ plans are thrown out
“LUDICROUS” plans to build hundreds of homes on green fields south of Leamington have been sent back to the drawing board.
Sydenham residents spoke out against Leamington builder AC Lloyd’s plans to add 209 new homes to the estate, which they feared would overload roads.
Officials argued the homes were needed to ensure a five-year supply of housing, but there was applause as Warwick District Council’s planning committee unanimously rejected the plans as a “recipe for gridlock”.
Almost 300 residents had objected. Representing those in Millpool Meadows, Elizabeth Twohig-White warned of the years of noise faced by those living beside the scheme’s only access road, as well as possible harm to a nearby nature reserve.
Whitnash councillors raised concern over a narrow lane intended as a backup route for emergency vehicles, where resident Jonathan Blower said it was “impossible” for two vehicles to pass.
Representing AC Lloyd, Framptons planning director Greg Mitchell said there was a “pressing need” for more housing, and the “vast majority” of objections had been addressed. He added the scheme, which included 84 ‘affordable’ homes, had been designed to harmonise with the surrounding countryside.
The committee had no objection to building on the site, but a bus journey there had set members against the scheme. Describing “new degrees of convolution”, Cllr Bertie Mackay (Ind, Stoneleigh) said: “The addition of the proposed development is a recipe for gridlock.”
Cllr Richard Brookes (Con, Bishops Tachbrook) asked why there were no shops and no primary school, while others said they were “horrified” by the “totally inadequate” and “ludicrous” road plans.
Speaking afterwards, Mrs Twohig-White said: “A lot of people thought this was a done deal but it’s really encouraging to see the planning committee ultimately does listen to reason.”
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Weather for Leamington
Tuesday 21 May 2013
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Light rain
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