“A BATTLE has been won but the war continues” – those were the words of a campaign group celebrating the rejection of a plan to build 860 houses off Ashlawn Road, but fearing the developer could try to appeal the decision.
The controversial plan for farmland between Ashlawn Road and Norton Leys was unanimously rejected by Rugby Borough Council’s planning committee last week on the grounds it would lead to an unacceptable increase in traffic in the area.
Planning officers Richard Holt and Karen McCulloch said the application did not constitute sustainable development.
They said: “(The application) fails to provide the necessary infrastructure to mitigate for the impact of increased traffic or increased air pollution.”
Coun Bill Lewis, Liberal Democrat councillor for Rokeby and Overslade and chairman of campaign group Stop Ashlawn Road Development (SARD), said the planning committee came to the right decision – but warned the land was far from safe from future development.
He said: “The scheme could be modified and resubmitted or the developer could appeal against the decision. SARD will be making preparations to oppose a resubmission or an appeal should the developer decide to follow any of these possibilities.”
He added the land was identified as a potential development site by Rugby Borough Council’s Local Plan for housing up to the year 2031.
He said: “This is another issue which SARD will address and will comment about to the council before the deadline date of Friday February 19.”
Coun Howard Avis, Labour councillor for Rokeby and Overslade, said: “The proposed number of playing fields, open spaces, green space and play areas were inadequate for a development of this size, there were no community facilities, no healthcare facilities, and most of all inadequate measures to manage the massive negative impact on roads in the area.”
Rugby Labour group leader Coun Claire Edwards added: “We wait to see if the developers appeal, but I will always be ready to battle for housing that is appropriate, of good quality and where its impact on existing and new communities is properly managed and minimised.”
* AN APPLICATION for up to 380 new homes on land off Crick Road in Hillmorton has been submitted to Rugby Borough Council.
The plan includes a new access from Crick Road (the A428), a spine road from Crick Road to the northern boundary of the site, a local centre, the demolition of redundant farm buildings, and infrastructure including storm water balancing arrangements on land between Moors Lane and the Oxford Canal.
For more information, visit www.planningportal.rugby.gov.uk and search for R15/1702.
