Labour councillors oppose development plan for 200 new homes and ecological site in Leamington

Property development company AC Lloyd has put forward an outline planning application to Warwick District Council for up to 200 houses on land at the southern end of Sydenham.

The Labour councillors for the Willes Ward Cllr Mini Mangat and Cllr Helen Adkins are still deeply concerned by the plans.

About 18 months ago the Labour group launched the StEW (Stop East Whitnash) Campaign and they continue to stand with Sydenham residents who are troubled by the submission of these plans.

Cllr Mangat said: "The development will massively increase the congestion on Chesterton Drive and the roads around St Fremund Way, as this is the only access route into Millpool Meadows and Chesterton Gardens estates.

"There is simply no gauge for this route to take additional vehicles with the increased volume of traffic that this development will bring.

“I live on the Millpool Meadows estate - traffic congestion is already a major issue locally and these roads simply cannot sustain hundreds more cars.

"Through Warwick District Council I will be actively objecting to this development.”

Cllr Adkins added: "I oppose this development as it's detrimental to the residents of the area, it will lead to disruption, air pollution and noise pollution.

"I will continue to lobby Warwickshire County Council's highways department to withdraw support from this development

"Whilst there is no question of the absolute need for housing across the district, it needs to be accessible and more densely sited."

Des Wynne, managing director of AC Lloyd strategic land, said: “The planning application follows two years of preparation which started with a public consultation in summer 2018, a presentation to the Parish Council in 2019 and a lengthy period of discussion with Warwickshire County Council over the possibility of bringing additional access to the site through the grounds of Campion School alongside the railway line.

“Those discussions are ongoing but inconclusive so we have sought to bring forward just this first phase utilising the existing roads through Sydenham.

“The possibility of creating a second access via the school is still our aim since we believe it would support the wider site.

“As well as the new homes, the Phase 1 proposals include over eight acres of new public open space and an ecological habitat alongside Whitnash Brook which will both protect and significantly enhance the existing local nature reserve.”

People are able to give their feedback on the proposals via Warwick District Council’s planning website.