New estate could bring 200 extra people to village

[dutchman]

A plan for up to 90 new homes in Kineton has fueled fears of overcrowding among villagers.



Residents have been invited to a public event to hear details of Barwood Homes’ plan to build a 17-acre new housing and light industrial estate in Southam Road. The company says the area’s ‘local plan’ calls for new housing of up to 90 units in the village.

If accepted, the estate, which would also include some office and light industrial spaces, would be built across a disused railway line and sit next to to the village burial ground. The new houses would be a combination of two, three, four and five-bedroomed homes - adding more than 200 adults and children to the community’s population.

Villagers, who have been asked to give the company feedback on its plans on a special website, voiced concerns about the scale of the development.

The Courier’s Kineton correspondent Dee McGowan said: “They villagers thought the infrastructure of Kineton is not capable of sustaining the expected increase in population.

“Problem areas mentioned included the schools, sewers, doctors’ surgeries and places to park by the shops. Most of these are already under pressure and the fact that the centre of the village is now almost at gridlock at certain times is another worry.”

She said some residents questioned the company’s intended use of land supposedly given by Lord Willoughby de Broke to the village for an extension to the cemetery.

Sam Dorrian of Barwood Homes said: “It is a misconception that the land was gifted to the village at any time. It is owned by a local family and we are in a contractual position with them.

“The local plan for Stratford district has identified Kineton to take 60 to 90 homes in the plan period to 2028.”

The company’s planning consultants are currently preparing a planning application.

Kineton parish councillor Ken Priddis stressed the 60 to 90 home requirement appears in Stratford’s draft core strategy which is not yet adopted. He said: “The opinions of residents closest to the development are most important and the parish council will be most interested in their views.”

A public parish council meeting will be held when Barwood Homes submits its application.

Meanwhile, the company is inviting people to comment on its ideas. Visit http://www.southamroadkineton.com