A DECISION on contentious plans for an industrial development at Longbridge near Warwick has been deferred for a site visit.
The proposal for an industrial development consisting of general and light industrial buildings on 8.8 hectares of land to the east of Stratford Road went before members of Warwick District Council’s planning committee on Wednesday (September 13).
The final design and layout of the buildings is not yet known, as only a parameters plan showing where within the site the development is proposed has been submitted, along with a height restriction guarantee of 18.5 metres.
But the application has attracted a raft of objections.
Officers had recommended the planning committee grant the application as the site is part of the local employment allocation and they felt the concerns submitted were balanced out by the mitigating planting which was proposed around the site as well as the potential boost to employment opportunities in the area.
But councillors voted in favour of a visit to the site before any final decision was made due to the potential enormity of the development.
The site is partly brownfield with the former Severn Trent depot occupying the land on the eastern side of the site. There are also currently car parking areas and a tennis court.
The rest of the site is greenfield land with trees, grassland and mature hedgerows.
The site is also close to the Grade I Listed Castle Park.
Access to the site is from an existing four arm roundabout from the Stratford Road.
Objections were submitted by the Gardens Trust and Historic England who were both concerned about the impact on Castle Park as well as the potential for archaeological deposits to be present on the site.
There were 114 letters of objections from the public.
Objections included the proposal being out of keeping with the main access route into Warwick, it would exacerbate existing traffic congestion on Stratford Road, while residents also feared being boxed in by “super size warehouses”.
Others said it would be visually harmful, especially in winter when there were no leaves on the trees and it would be visible from long distances, including from the surrounding villages.
Concerns were raised about the its harmful impact on the environment as well as destroying wildlife habitats.
Noise and air pollution concerns were also raised.
