The text of the Parish Council’s objection reads as follows:
I have been asked by Leek Wootton & Guy’s Cliffe Parish Council to respond as follows:
The Parish Council [PC] has studied this application and would firstly comment that it is pleased to see the reduced number of dwellings (70) now proposed by the applicant, compared with the approved outline planning permission of “up to 83”. It is also pleased to see the building heights are all 2-storey maximum, rather than the 2½ stated in the outline planning permission.
However, the PC still OBJECTS to this application on the following grounds:-
- CAR PARKING
- The number of visitor parking spaces provided (18) falls significantly below the 20% of allocated spaces that is required by Warwick District Council Parking Standards, June 2018. The distribution of the proposed spaces is also disproportionate as there are 6 spaces provided for the 7 dwellings on the ‘tennis court’ area and only 12 spaces on the main site of 63 dwellings. This low supply is likely to lead to off-site parking on Woodcote Lane, which is already narrow and subject to roadside parking, and could also lead to roadside parking within the development causing congestion and restrictions for contractor/emergency vehicles.
- The size of parking spaces on the plan is difficult to establish but we are concerned that the size of spaces for visitor and allocated parking may be inadequate. Warwick District Council Parking Standards, June 2018 requires that allowance be made for passing allocated parking spaces, for example with a bicycle or wheelie bin. The PC would ask that the District Council ensures that parking spaces comply with its own standards.
- Some proposed allocated parking spaces are within garages. Again, the PC is concerned that the garages may not be sufficiently big to be considered allocated parking spaces as they are required to be of sufficient size to accommodate both a car and other standard garage storage materials. This is set out in Warwick District Council Parking Standards, June 2018 at 4m x 6.5m internal dimensions. The PC would ask again that the District Council ensures that garage parking spaces comply with its own standards.
2. LANDSCAPING
- Condition 15 of the Planning Inspector’s Decision (approval of the outline planning permission) relates to tree protection/mitigation strategy. Item 15(a) requires, “a detailed scaled plan (to a scale and level of accuracy appropriate to the proposal) showing the position of every tree on the site, and every tree on land adjacent to the site (including street trees) that is likely to have an effect upon or be affected by the proposal (e.g. by shade, overhang from the boundary, intrusion of the Root Protection Area etc) with a stem diameter over the bark measured at 1.5 metres above ground level of at least 75 millimetres;”. The PC is not satisfied that the plan provided showing trees on site and their distribution is correct. A number of trees have been identified that are not shown on the plan and the PC would ask that the plan be thoroughly scrutinised alongside a site inspection to ensure accuracy.
- The PC is also concerned about the proximity of building foundations to existing tree roots in some locations.
- Plans show a break in the hedge line from the development to Woodcote Lane (rear of plots 20-23, opposite existing 34 Woodcote Lane). This would potentially provide a dangerous pedestrian access down a steep slope into the lane where there is no footway. This should be closed off with planting/landscaping.
Submitted to Warwick District Planning Portal 18/08/2024 22:03
Supplementary:
In addition to the Parish Council’s submission dated 18/08/2024, the PC notes that the ‘Landscape Masterplan’ and documents within this application do not appear to show any reduction in the hedge near the new site entrance from Woodcote Lane to create a visibility splay for vehicles exiting the site, as set out in the W/22/1877 Appeal document ‘Access Arrangements – Woodcote Lane (21-0340-SK06A)’. This is a matter of concern, due to the curve of the road in that location.
Submitted to Warwick District Planning Portal 19/08/2024 18:19