Update on the proposed Rectory Road development

May 2010

 

Background

Old Arley Residents Society was formed in 2007 in response to North Warwickshire Borough Council’s decision to develop the open space on Rectory Road, opposite the Rowland Court Centre, without consulting the residents of Old Arley. Very soon the Society found itself opposing a planning application that sought to build 85 houses and three-storey flats on the site.

Our initial survey, in June 2008, persuaded the Council that the overwhelming majority of villagers were implacably opposed to their scheme, even though by then they had reduced the number of houses and flats to 65. They realised that they would have to consult and negotiate in order to avoid the possibility of the whole site being designated a Village Green, and so protected in perpetuity.  This threat was given credibility when Arley Parish Council voted £10,000 to fund the legal action to protect the site, but the issue was complicated by a proposal, put forward at the first Open Day on 4th December 2008, to site a new Medical Centre on one third of the site. 

 

2nd survey

Following the second Open Day, where more acceptable proposals were unveiled, OARS decided that, in order to represent the views of the village, it was necessary to undertake another survey. Therefore, in February 2009, we asked all the residents of Old Arley if they agreed with our three principles:

1.     The provision of a Medical Centre.
2.     That at least one third (33.3%) of the site should become a designated Village Green.
3.     Any development on the remaining land must be appropriate for a rural village and sympathetic to the needs of         the existing community. 

• We counted 357 households in Old Arley, including the immediate surrounding areas.
• 246 households filled in our questionnaire, a 68% response.
• 215 households agreed with our proposals, 88% of returnees.
• 23 disagreed, 11% of returnees, of these, 8 (2%) only wanted a Village Green

Meeting with Councillors

Meeting with Councillors

Following the survey we were able to arrange a meeting with Councillors Colin Hayfield (the Leader of the Council), Carol Fox and Jeremy Bowden and Angela Coates, the Assistant Housing Officer, where it was agreed that the Council would put before its Resources Board a proposed development similar to the one revealed at the second open day, but with the green space increased to one third of the site and the housing development limited to 14 houses for sale and 16 bungalows for rent. There were no final plans for this version of the development but, from the sketches we saw, the scheme as a whole seemed appropriate for a rural setting and would fit into the village without substantially changing its character.

We were also promised a traffic management plan to minimise the effect of the extra traffic generated by the Medical Centre, and an effective way for local people to liase with the developers when building has started.

North Warwickshire Borough Council is prepared to nominate people with a local connection to live in the bungalows, and the houses will be offered for outright sale. They have also approached Arley Parish Council seeking agreement on the status of the green space.

 
Resources Board

On 27th April North Warwickshire Borough Council took these proposals to its Resources Board, where they were unanimously passed, with Councillors expressing their pleasure that a scheme that fitted in so well with the rural setting, and that helped to alleviate the Borough-wide shortage of bungalows, had been submitted to them.  Perhaps they had forgotten that they had originally voted for 65 dwellings!

North Warwickshire Borough Council has also accepted our solicitor’s opinion that there is nothing to stop them applying for Village Green status themselves for one third of the site. OARS will continue to monitor the progress of this application; we insist that one third of the site becomes a properly protected Village Green, owned by local people.

Old Arley Residents Society would like to thank the people of Old Arley for their interest and support in the last two years.  We can be pleased that the Council has been prepared to listen and that the money voted by the Parish Council has not had to be spent, but we need to be vigilant in following the rest of the planning and building process to make sure that changes are not made by the Council, Midland Heart Housing Association or the contractors without the agreement of the residents of Old Arley.

Letter received by OARS from NWBC May 2010.

Dear Helen,

I refer to my recent letters to tenants and residents groups and Arley Parish Council which provided an update on our progress with taking the proposed Rectory Road development forward.

I am pleased to advise you that following the decisions made by the partners involved in the development during this month the development can now proceed in accordance with the planning permission granted last year. This means that the 16 bungalows for rent will be developed first closely followed by the new medical centre for the area. 

The Council will now apply for the village green status for the third of the land to be left as open space as agreed with the community.

For health and safety reasons the site has to be secured with fencing. It is likely that this will happen as soon as 28th May 2010. The construction of the 16 2 bedroom bungalows will commence in early June. It is anticipated that the completion of these new homes will be achieved by 31st March 2011.

We are planning to have a residents’ open day to discuss the agreed plans, programme of works and any questions they might have on 24th June 2010. (1pm till 6pm in Rowland Court Communal Room) We will send letters out to the neighbouring residents when all partners have confirmed that they can be in attendance.

In the meantime we will be letting residents know that if they have any queries or comments regarding the development of this site during the construction phase they can contact Tony Evans, Operations Manager (Lovell), or Tim Harrison, Build Contract Manager (Lovell) on 0121 421 8300”.

I hope that this information is helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns or would like any further information.

Yours sincerely

Angela Coates
Assistant Director (Housing)