Saturday 2nd November 2013
The Save Dorothy Walk Action Group are asking as many people as possible, whether they live within the Dorothy Walk neighbourhood or further afield in Warminster or beyond, to voice their objections to the proposals by Redrow Homes to build houses in that area. Objections can be made before 15th November 2013 to Wiltshire Council, quoting planning application no. 13/05089/FUL.
The following reasons have been cited by the Save Dorothy Walk Action Group for objecting to the proposed residential development:
* Development Plan Policy & Government Guidelines: This proposed development contravenes this: The land is OUTSIDE the settlement boundary and, in the emerging Core Strategy it is suggested that Warminster has enough building land already allocated or available within the settlement boundary to more than satisfy the required housing supply until 2026.
* Flooding: Dorothy Walk, Rectory Close, Portway, parts of Manor Gardens and Bath Road already struggle with flooded gardens and, in some cases, houses suffer from flooding also. Any development here will worsen this.
* Drainage: Manor Gardens is notorious for drainage problems, as is Dorothy Walk, Ash Walk and Rectory Close. Further development will only exacerbate this problem.
* Access: The proposed access road is from the Bath Road near The Were and Coldharbour Lane. The visibility is very poor along this section of an already busy road. Children, including those from Warminster School, use this road and the resulting traffic increase would further jeopardise their safety. In addition, the access would be at a section which is already prone to flooding and yet, the developers intend to build the new road on an existing flood plain! The proposed Emergency Access is via Dorothy Walk. This would prove extremely hazardous, as it is a narrow lane, much of which is unmade road. It is a well-used public footpath, with many pedestrians (including schoolchildren) and cyclists.
* Loss Of Public Footpath: A new road is proposed ACROSS Dorothy Walk. This well-used footpath, which is over 200 years old, was enhanced for local people by a local businessman, in memory of his late daughter Dorothy. Our footpath will be annihilated.
* Conservation Of Trees And Open Land: There is a need to safeguard the countryside, and any development here would destroy this open space and some of the existing mature trees. The charming and peaceful ambience of this area would be totally destroyed. The Minster Church is Saxon (in origin) and is swathed by green fields which would be lost to a housing estate. Any development would be totally out of keeping with the area.
* Ecology: There is an abundance of wildlife in the area, including endangered and protected species, such as bats, owls, woodpeckers, slow worms, water voles, water shrews, grass snakes, toads and badgers. Any development would have a devastating effect on the flora and fauna in the area.
* Subsidence: The land proposed for development is unstable. Two houses have already subsided in Rectory Close and as such are almost impossible to sell. People buying these proposed houses at the new development may well not be able to obtain house insurance.
* Effects Of Daylight And Privacy: This would be severely detrimental to neighbours living in close proximity to the proposed development.
* Noise And Disturbance: This would have a severe impact on anyone living in or using Dorothy Walk, Church Street, Bath Road, Minster Church and Warminster School.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
*Â Please voice your objections (politely)Â before 15th November 2013Â to Wiltshire Council, quoting application no. 13/05089/FUL on all correspondence.
*Â Letters to Mike Wilmot, Area Development Manager, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN.Â
* Email: development@wiltshire.gov.uk or use the online facility on the Council website www.wiltshire.gov.uk
* Write to, phone or email the local MP, Dr. Andrew Murrison, House Of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, telephone 020 7219 8337, or Constituency Office, Suite 1, Holloway House, Epsom Square, White Horse Business Park, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0XG, telephone 01225 358584, fax 01225 358583, email: andrew.murrison.mp@parliament.ukÂ
*Â Make your views known to local and regional newspapers.
*Â This is vital now that a planning application has been submitted.
We have started a SAVE DOROTHY WALK ACTION GROUP. Here we will fight this application and keep local people updated on the planning process. We hope as many people as possible will support us. Contact details: email savedorothywalk@gmail.com or telephone: 07551 448034
PEOPLE POWER IS PARAMOUNT TO OUR CAUSE.