Category Archives: BAN2

Send a letter to oppose the developments on Southam Road (BAN2)

BAN2, Banbury Local Plan, CDC Localism Act, Cherwell Council, Cherwell District Council, HFDAG, Rapleys

To send a letter this letter to Cherwell District Council to oppose the development of 880 houses around Southam Road simply fill in a few details and press send

    Dear Tracey Morrissey

    Ref: 13/00158/OUT & 13/00159/OUT

    I strongly OBJECT to these plans. They breach the councils original agreement for the development of Hanwell Fields that were implemented by the developers at the time of building.
    The Hanwell Fields design brief 2007 stipulated the following:
    “P2. point 1.3.1 Location.
    The land allocated for development at Hanwell Fields is located on the northern extremity of Banbury and will form the new urban edge to this side of town. The objective is to create an urban form and new urban edge which appears organic in character, relating to land form and local colour and therefore specifically distinctive as Banbury”

    “P2. point 1.3.2 Prospect.
    The topography of the site affords extensive views generally northerly over the Area of High Landscape Value. From the proposed westerly neighbourhood park a 270 degree panorama may be enjoyed. Development should be located so as to enable as many people as possible enjoy these views.”

    My house was purchased on the strong understanding that the Northern Boundary of Dukes Meadow Drive would not be built upon. This countryside is enjoyed by many people and it is what enticed us to the area in the first place. If these plans persist then we will no longer be an 'edge of town' development as again we have been assured in the past. I have a right to open space. The previous Cherwell plans, Draft Core Strategy 2010, Options for Growth Document 2008 and the Banbury and North Cherwell Site Allocations – Issues and Options 2006 all state this right to open space. By allowing this development infringes that right.
    Cherwell Council should be supporting the principle of the Northern Boundary as they are to the South with developments at Saltway. If this is given the green light then so should the proposed southern developments.

    This site is designated an Area of High Visual Impact, the impact of such prominent housing will have a negative effect on both house prices and saleability in an already declining market. Demand for housing in Cherwell is being grossly over judged by CDC. If such a demand was evident then why are so many houses still for sale in and around Banbury. Many on Hanwell Fields for 12 months or more. Also given that Bankside and Canalside have been granted permission to develop housing for nearly 5 years and yet not one brick has been laid. I object to the spoiling of a perfectly good environmental landscape to be replaced by urban sprawl.

    The site is unsustainable as it is too far from many aspects of Banbury, it encourages car use on what is considered a very over congested route. Allowing this development does not address or indeed fix this problem. There is a distinct lack of infrastructure to support such a number of houses.

    The manner in which this area has been selected has no bearing on the sustainability of the site, there are far better sites to develop housing around Banbury that have been selectively removed from the Cherwell Local Plan, these areas include Land West of Warwick Road and Saltway.

    The Traffic Assessment is out of date and unrealistic. Again the placement of the development only supports a greater dependency on car use.
    The employment listed in the TA document is Pro Drive. A specialist car engineering company, that employs specialist staff. The TA is therefore suggesting that any potential home owners on the development will also just happen to have the specialist skills required to obtain employment at Pro Drive. If they don't, then car use is required. Saltway would have the largest employment catchment area with both the first (Horton Hospital) and third (CDC) largest employers in Banbury within metres of the site and yet it's ignored and not listed on the CDC Local Plan.

    In reality, school pupils will not walk from the Eastern edge of the development to the Academy School on Warwick Road. It is too far, yes I understand their bold and noble view that we must encourage more exercise. However simply look at the traffic congestion at the Hanwell Fields Primary School for guidance on the real world. The primary school location on the planned development encourages car use from parents who won't be living on the estate. Many parents drop the children off at school on the way to work. Children will be dropped off in the lay-by opposite the planned location, whereby they will have to cross a very busy main road. Any accidents on this site will be the responsibility of the developers and the council.

    Hanwell Fields is still un-adopted, as a resident I have not received my full requirement of services. Cherwell Council have had 10 years to sort out this site. I have no confidence in them being able to effectively manage or deliver housing and services any better than the appalling treatment we get now.

    I would like to discuss these plans with the planning inspector or at least have some sort of representation, I have a right to do this. I also have a right to be supported by the council as ultimately they SHOULD have my concerns in mind and represent me and other Hanwell Fields residents and not the developers. It appears the council have collaborated with the developers to try and get this plan pushed through no matter what the implications or the thoughts of those most affected.

    Regards

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    Just to prove we are not scaremongering…

    BAN2, BAN5, Banbury Local Plan, CDC Localism Act, Cherwell Council, Cherwell District Council, HFDAG, Housing, Persimmon Homes

    I know I don’t have to, but this just proves how we are right with our facts, and that we are not scaremongering as we have been accused.

    This is an extract from the official Thames Valley Police response to the Persimmon Developments.

    Directly related to the proposed development
    There is a functional link between the new development and the contributions requested. Put simply without the development taking place and the subsequent population growth there would be no requirement for the additional infrastructure. The additional population growth will lead to an increase in incidents, which will require a Police response.

    The infrastructure identified above has been specifically identified as infrastructure required to deal with the likely form, scale and intensity of incidents that the development will generate.

    The Police are also requesting money for ANPR cameras, Remote IT facilities and Bicycles to provide adequate policing for the area.

    CDC Local Plan Hardwick Farm – Southam Road

    BAN2, Banbury Local Plan, Cherwell Council, Cherwell District Council, HFDAG, Housing

    Strategic Development: Banbury 2 – Hardwick Farm, Southam Road (East and West)

    The Development Area East and West of Southam Road at Hardwick Farm is a sustainable location for housing growth on the northern periphery of Banbury. The site is bounded to the east by the M40 and by a cemetery to the west.
    The design of the development will need to respect the landscape sensitivity of the site, especially to the west. The topography of the area rises to the north and the potential visual impact will need addressed. Careful consideration will be needed to the nearby heritage assets including Hardwick House, a listed building and an area of archaeological potential to the north of Noral Way (Hardwick deserted Medieval Village) in the creation of a high quality neighbourhood.

    Banbury 2 – Hardwick Farm, Southam Road (East and West)
    Development area: 42.70 hectares
    Development Description –The Development Area east and west of the Southam Road is located in a sustainable location, close to existing employment uses and north of Banbury town centre.
    Residential development (of approximately 800 dwellings) will be permitted across the two areas, provided it can be demonstrated that high quality design has been applied to address the potential landscape/visual impact issues and that careful consideration has been given to minimise the impact on historic asset/ potential archaeological sensitivity of the sites.
    Housing

    • Land area: 42.70 ha (17.75 west + 24.95 east)
    • Number of homes: approximately 800
    • Dwelling mix: A variety of dwelling types see policy BSC 6 (Housing Mix)
    • Affordable/social: 30%

    Infrastructure needs

    • Education – remains to be negotiated
    • Health – remains to be negotiated
    • Open Space – to include general greenspace, play space, allotments and outdoor sports provision as outlined in Policy BSC12.
    • Community facilities – there will be a requirement for on-site community facility if 400 or more dwellings are proposed.
    • Utilities – to be confirmed

    Key site specific design and place shaping principles

    • Development that respects the landscape setting with particular attention to the west of Southam Road- where the visual sensitivity is considered to be greater. Careful consideration should be given to address the topographical changes on the site to ensure minimal visual impact.
    • Development that addresses the flood risk of the site, where a small part of the site to the far west is within Flood zone 2 and 3 (along the route of the brook -a tributary of the River Cherwell); built development close to the watercourse will not be permitted. A green buffer should be provided along the watercourse.
    • Development that retains and enhances significant landscape features (e.g. hedgerows) which are or may be of ecological value; and where possible introduces new features (e.g. green buffer along the watercourse) to enhance existing wildlife corridors and therefore increase biodiversity in the area.
    • Development that respects and has minimal impact on the historic environment, including listed buildings (Hardwick House) and area of archaeological potential north of Noral Way (Hardwick deserted Medieval Village)
    • Layout of development that enables a high degree of integration and connectivity between new and existing communities.
    • A layout that maximises the potential for walkable neighbourhoods, with a legible hierarchy of routes and incorporates cycle routes to encourage sustainable modes of travel.
    • Development that considers and addresses any potential amenity issues which may arise including noise impact from the M40 (forming the north-east boundary), and any issues arising from the crematorium (to the north). The introduction of buffers/barriers/screening and the location of uses should be carefully considered to mitigate potential nuisances.
    • Public open space to form a well connected network of green areas suitable for formal and informal recreation, with the opportunity to connect to the Banbury Country Park (Banbury 14).
    • The incorporation of urban design principles (see Policy ESD16: The Character of the Built Environment) including consideration of street frontages and building heights in relation to the landscape setting
    • A well designed approach to the urban edge, which relates development at the periphery to its rural setting and affords good access to the countryside.
    • The incorporation of SuDS (Policy ESD 7)
    • Demonstration of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures including exemplary demonstration of compliance with the requirements of policies ESD1 – 5