Kenilworth Town Council says South Warwickshire Local Plan is “not fit for purpose”
Kenilworth Town Council has formally objected to plans in the South Warwickshire Local Plan involving the proposed development of 776 new houses in the town.
In representations prepared on its behalf by planning consultants Black Box Planning, the town council is arguing that the part of the plan named KEN.1 fails key tests of soundness set out in national planning policy and should be removed from the local plan (SWLP) before it is submitted for examination.
The town council's objections focus on four principal areas - the justification for releasing Green Belt land, the impact on the heritage setting of Kenilworth Castle and its Registered Park and Garden, the failure to properly consider alternative growth strategies, and significant unresolved concerns over infrastructure, transport, education, drainage and viability.
The submission argues that the evidence used to classify KEN.1 as "grey belt" is flawed and that the site's heritage sensitivity has not been adequately assessed.
It further contends that the infrastructure required to support development has not been properly tested or costed and that the plan does not demonstrate how growth on the site could be delivered effectively.
The Town Council believes these concerns extend far beyond Kenilworth. Because the South Warwickshire Local Plan relies heavily on Green Belt release, other sites identified as ‘grey belt’ land may be affected by the same evidence base errors used to justify KEN.1.
The Council argues that the proposal raises wider questions about the soundness and deliverability of other proposed allocations on ‘grey belt’ land.
The authority also says this in turn undermines the soundness of the entire plan being promoted by Warwick District Council and Stratford-on-Avon District Council.
Leader of Kenilworth Town Council, Councillor Mark Stevens, said: "The town council's position is clear.
"Key elements of the SWLP are not fit for purpose in its current form.
“The evidence underpinning the proposed KEN.1 allocation is flawed, the infrastructure needed to support development has not been adequately demonstrated, and the Plan is therefore not deliverable as proposed.
“Just as importantly, it fails to respect Kenilworth's unique heritage, including the historic setting of Kenilworth Castle and its surrounding landscape.
"We are urging the Plan's authors to remove KEN.1 and reconsider a strategy that better reflects both national planning policy and the special character of our town."
The SWLP will guide where new homes, businesses, employment and infrastructure are located across the combined Stratford and Warwick District boundary areas up to 2050.
Both district councils have been working on the plan and said that they "aim to ensure that development is carefully planned and supported by the necessary infrastructure including roads, schools, health facilities and green spaces to meet the future needs of local communities".
Councillor Chris King, Warwick District Council's portfolio holder for planning and place said: "The South Warwickshire Local Plan is crucial to planning for the homes, jobs and infrastructure our communities need over the coming decades.
"Only with a robust and comprehensive plan in place can we shape and plan development, deliver better infrastructure, protect our environment and support sustainable communities in the best way for the future of our district."
For more information about the SWLP visit https://www.southwarwickshire.org.uk/swlp/