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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