Issue - meetings

Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Councillor Peter Butlin

This report seeks Council gives approval to the addition of two schemes to the Capital Programme for 2019/2020:

• A425 Banbury Road and A452 Europa Way, Warwick. Developer – Barwood Land. Approximate value £3.5 million

• B4632 Campden Road, Long Marston. Developer – CALA Homes. Approximate value £2.5 million

Resolved:

That Council gives approval to the addition of the following two schemes to the Capital Programme for 2019/2020:

• A425 Banbury Road and A452 Europa Way, Warwick. Developer – Barwood Land. Approximate value £3.5 million.

• B4632 Campden Road, Long Marston. Developer – CALA Homes. Approximate value £2.5 million

Councillor Butlin explained that although some members may not necessarily agree with the proposals before Council, legal advice is that any refusal to cooperate and agree the schemes’ addition to the Capital Programme would be unlawful. Councillor Jeff Clarke (Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning) seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor Judy Falp acknowledged the position the Council was in but expressed her disappointment that major planning applications that result in major disruption are being approved on appeal. With reference to the A425 Councillor Chilvers expressed his dissatisfaction at the mitigating measures proposed adding that for future schemes more consideration should be given to them.

 Councillor John Holland stated that the knowledge that the County Council has little control over the schemes in question served to strengthen his resolve to vote against them. He added that Warwick District Council had refused the development sites to the south of Warwick, but its decision had been overruled. In addition, it was noted that none of the major development sites in the local plans is close to a railway line. The A452 development will draw traffic off the M40 motorway and into Leamington Spa. The only hope, he concluded, is to work to improve air quality in Warwick town centre. Regarding the A452 Councillor Adkins noted that the development had resulted in the loss of many trees. She challenged whether this had been necessary.

 Councillor Kondakor suggested that it is important to consider how to move people sustainably with minimal additional infrastructure for cars. The evolving local transport plan should focus on public transport and cycle way provision. In addition, it is important to consider lifetime maintenance costs when assessing the suitability of proposed schemes. Councillor Alan Webb called on the Portfolio Holder to provide a report on examples of schemes that have encountered problems in their implementation and the impact that these have had on tax payers. In response, Councillor Clarke noted that as all such schemes are fully funded by developers there is no cost to tax payers. In concluding,

 Councillor Butlin reminded Council that the time to challenge major developments is the planning stage. It is the district and borough councils that are the planning authorities. Developers are required to enter into a bond agreement so that if they face financial difficulties the Council is protected.

The recommendation was put to the vote. It was agreed with five members voting against it. There were no abstentions.

 Resolved:

That Council gives approval to the addition of the following two schemes to the Capital Programme for 2019/2020:

• A425 Banbury Road and A452 Europa Way, Warwick. Developer – Barwood Land. Approximate value £3.5 million.

• B4632 Campden Road, Long Marston. Developer – CALA Homes. Approximate value £2.5 million