Losing something precious

Firstly, any loss of the of the remaining open space, to facilitate an enlarged golf course or caravan park, would further change the historic visual character and amenity of our common. Continued encroachment into the unrestricted area would take away something very precious from local people. Let’s think of it in terms of being sacred and sacrosanct, protected from permanent commercial development. The health benefits of the common, enjoyed by generations of Warwick folks and others, are undeniable.

Secondly there seems to be a case of selling off the family silver, or at least something tantamount to that, with the proposal to sell the land, where the thorny issue of the hotel was planned. The district planners turned the application down, yet now it begins to look like a fait accompli or big green light in the direction of Racecourse authority. If this is a misreading of the situation I am sorry, for no one really thinks that planning deliberations and decisions operate like that, but why else would the Jockey Club want to buy the freehold?

Of the many special vistas in each direction from Warwick Common, it’s good to see the terraced houses in Hampton Street, there to be viewed by generation after generation. We don’t want to spoil that with a structural blockage!

I remember Cllr Holland putting things so succinctly with the words: “Nothing has changed.” Then there were the other local councillors who hit the nail fairly and squarely on its head with the assertion that St Mary’s Lands public open space is there for recreation, rather than commercial uses - enshrined in an Act of Parliament!

Calls for meaningful public consultations would seem to be the least the local populace could ask for, with so much sensitivity around the issue. I wonder if any of your readers remember the proposals in any of the party election addresses ? I don’t. The district council executive will, one hopes, be mindful of not only the continued presence of a long established racecourse in our town, but also our wider concerns appertaining to St Mary’s Lands. Our ancient common must be there for future generations and we are all its guardians.

Les Kent, Emscote Road, Warwick