Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Conservative parliamentary candidate, welcomed the opportunity to discuss the present challenges faced by Warkworth of multiple planning applications for over 100 new homes at a public meeting in the village yesterday (Saturday, 17th January). Anne-Marie has been working alongside campaigners since they launched their “Our Voice” campaign group back in November. Anne-Marie set up an online survey for local residents to share their views confidentially and anonymously.
Anne-Marie said “I am always concerned when a community asks for my help on these sorts of planning matters. I have campaigned with local groups over the last ten years on many issues, and where the planning system is inadequate we have to get local residents to put in the hard work of fighting to protect the community they love. In this instance, the lack of a finalised Core Strategy from our County Council – failure by both the present Labour and the previous LibDem administration to grasp the nettle and get it done – has left our small communities vulnerable to developers wanting to build. Where communities are keen to welcome development of all kinds, this is not a problem, but if a village wants to stop unwanted development it is much harder to achieve until the Core Strategy is in place. I am very concerned that County Hall leaders are not working quickly enough to achieve this for our county, so that we have a clear and agreed plan in place.
Our online survey has shown quite clearly that residents are deeply concerned about the need for this housing- is it the right sort? Has the County actually got any needs survey which would justify such a large number of new homes in one village? Will the village centre be able to cope with the increased traffic & parking needs of more residents? We must make sure that all those in decision making positions will be made fully aware of all the concerns before making a decision.”
Residents’ comments on the online survey have included:
· An element of new housing is inevitable, but this should be small scale, with a few units per annum, not 130 in one hit!
· I support some 'infilling' here and there, but not on the scale suggested.
· Whilst realising that all settlements change over time these proposals seem to be 'too much at one time' and rather overwhelming considering the present size of Warkworth. First the caravan site proposal, then when that was turned down, cram in as many houses as we can 'get away with' seems to be the mindset of developers.
· While the occasional addition of a small group of houses, infilling along an existing residential street, seems not unreasonable, I am opposed strongly to the loss of green-field areas. Our village is a tourist attraction, amidst an AONB, but if too much more building goes on I believe the attraction will wear thin. I don't believe there is a genuine demand for more housing in Warkworth, other than as second homes or buy-to-holiday-lets. I gather there are already quite a lot of houses for sale in Warkworth at the present time so can't see the need for more.
· Affordable housing, in small numbers would be welcome.
· I cannot say that I object to any new house building in Warkworth. There are places where some infill building could be done. However, I cannot support housing development of this kind.
· Is there any evidence to show that more homes are needed?. I think not.
· Locals and visitors, upon which we heavily rely, enjoy coming to the village because it represents a typical English village with a heart and a small community. Many of the villages across the country are being ruined by developments that are not in keeping with the community or the surrounding countryside and Warkworth has a unique position nestled in the curve of the river with the heart of the village protected by the impressive castle. Adding on and adding on more and more properties and stretching the village out at its boundaries will spoil the very essence of what the village to so many represents-a small part of history.
· The roads are too narrow in some areas of Warkworth for more traffic and parking in the village is minimal.
· We already have had 27 affordable houses built this year. There does not appear to be any identifiable need for further houses being built. There are no jobs in the area. How many of these houses are going to become second homes/holiday let's?
· Warkworth already suffers from too much ribbon development and all these proposals are likely to make it worse, making it less of a village and simply a sprawling housing development. What we need is community - not developments that simply benefit outsiders who just see it as a money-making opportunity.
· I would support some small scale and sympathetic development in the village. Not opportunistic and gross overdevelopment which will destroy the character of the village.
If you are interested in the Warkworth development and want to have your say, either to support or object, you can do so confidentially athttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WarkworthHousingPlan. All anonymised data will be shared with councillors before they take a decision on these applications.
For Editors - More Information:
You can contact Anne-Marie Trevelyan anytime with comments or concerns on a confidential basis on 07970 653258 or by email to [email protected]