We have just heard the outcome of the two planning appeals for land adjacent to Castle Park. The largest site, “The Asps” stretching on land east of Banbury Road between the Barford turn and the valley by Turnbull’s gardens, is for 900 houses, a school, local centre, and park and ride. The inspector recognised the damage that would be done to the setting of the park and the very substantial harm to the adjacent landscape, that car use would be encouraged because too many local facilities would not be available on foot. Her recommendation was that the proposed benefits, in the provision of park and ride and much needed houses did not outweigh the harm, and recommended that it be refused. The Secretary of State for communities and local government agreed with her assessment of the various issues, but then disagreed with her assessment of the balance between harm and benefit and GRANTED the development.
The second application, for land on Gallows Hill, (450 houses) was allowed by the inspector and the Secretary of State of course supported that. There now only remains the third site, behind the toll house, for which an application has been withdrawn. The owner was represented at both the appeals and this application will doubtless be re-submitted. That wonderful approach to Warwick is therefore soon to be lost.
The full Inspectors reports and decision letters are on the District council’s Planning site. The Asps. Gallows Hill
