CPRE backs Warwickshire villagers’ fight against huge industrial park
PRESSURE group the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has weighed-in on the side of Gaydon villagers fighting an industrial park development.
Warwickshire CPRE warns a planning application by CEG Land Promotions for a development near Junction 12 of the M40, would “dominate” and “dwarf” the historic village.
Three warehouse units are proposed – the smallest higher than a three-storey house and the largest almost 60ft.
In an objection letter to Stratford District Council, the CPRE says the site is “very obviously” the wrong type, as it is next to a rural village.
It believes the proposal would “very seriously spoil the natural and historic environment” of Gaydon village and potentially affect heritage buildings, including the mid-19th century parish church of St Giles and 17th-century Gaydon Farmhouse, as well as taking away almost 30 hectares of agricultural land.
Warwickshire CPRE also points out the village already has problems with flooding, which three large warehouses on higher ground could worsen.
It points out proposed security lighting on eight-metre poles would disturb bats and other wildlife, the warehouses would create noise pollution and the site would generate “a great deal of carbon dioxide”.
The Herald reported last week on how villagers also fear the new development would bring a stream of HGV and other traffic.
Retired lecturer Tony Hughes, who has lived in Gaydon for 40 years, expressed dismay that the 18ft high buildings will “tower over the village”.
And fellow resident Nina Wingfield described the size of the proposed development as “astronomical”, pointing out the plans for one warehouse are so huge that it could house eight jumbo jets.
The village is close to the former Gaydon airfield which already houses JLR, Aston Martin and the British Motor Museum.
CEG Land Promotions claims its scheme will create 1,000 jobs and says its proposal include a five-acre parkland between Gaydon and the development, to act as a “buffer” and “recreation space for residents”.
