Community spine road at Cawston Lane and land to West and East, Dunchurch

What was proposed

The application proposed changes to Cawston Lane, a new Community Spine Road, temporary farm access, walking and cycling routes, crossings, drainage and landscaping.

“Description: Demolition of existing buildings, alterations to Cawston Lane, formation of a single carriageway road (the Community Spine Road), formation of a temporary access road to Cherry Tree Farm, construction of footways, cycleways and crossing points and associated works (including landscaping and drainage).”

Officer report

The site

The site covered Cawston Lane and mainly agricultural land, with existing roads, rights of way, trees, hedgerows, woodland and farm buildings.

“Other than Cawston Lane itself the application site largely comprises existing agricultural land however, it also includes existing roads, Rights of Way, trees and hedgerows.”

“Trees and hedgerows are found within the application site, generally adjacent to existing roads and Rights of Way or forming field boundaries. The woodland trees within the site boundary at the north west and south west of the site are covered by Tree Preservation Orders.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions included 210 homes and a school to the north, and the Homestead Link Road and part of a future spine road.

“R22/0928 Full planning application for the delivery of an all-traffic single carriageway link road (the Homestead Link Road), including 2m verge, 2m footway and 3m cycleway on the development side of the carriageway, a Pegasus crossing, new junctions with the B4429 Coventry Road, Cawston Lane, Alywn Road, the A426 Rugby Road and to adjacent land allocated for residential development, plus realigned side road accesses to several existing residential properties.”

Officer report

Advice from consultees

After further information and revised plans, consultees generally raised no objection, subject to conditions covering highways, drainage, ecology, trees, archaeology and other matters.

“Environment Agency Comment Should liaise with Flood Authority re: drainage, waste should be minimised, if material is to be imported a permit may be required Environmental Health No objection Subject to conditions and informative Historic England No comment National Gas No comment No assets affected in this area National Grid Electricity No comment No assets affected in this area National Highways No objection Natural England No objection Proposals will affect “best and most…”

“Revised plans Active Travel England No objection Historic England No comment National Highways No objection Natural England No further comments Warwickshire Police No comment WCC Ecology No further comments WCC Flood Risk No objection Subject to conditions and informatives WCC Highways No objection Subject to conditions and informativess106 WCC Rights of Way No further comments…”

Officer report

Concerns from residents

The parish council and residents objected over drainage, traffic, construction disruption, transport links, trees, hedgerows, biodiversity, flooding and community impacts.

“Third party comments Dunchurch Parish Council Comments - Concern regarding possible drainage impacts, residents already experience issues; - Proposals prioritise retention of trees and hedgerows, a TPO should be placed on all category A trees within the site; - Public rights of way should not be affected, and should not be closed, altered, or built on, even temporarily, there should be no changes to their surface, width, or location; - Residents of new development will use…”

“Local Residents (24) Objection - Cawston Lane should be improved before nearby developments commence; - Noise, dust and disturbance during construction; - Lack of parking for visitors to woods; - Proposals would change access to Cawston Lane from Penlan to one-way only; - Proposed 3m separated carriageway would be blocked if a vehicle broke down; - Width may not allow vehicles including larger agricultural vehicles to access Penlan; - Turning areas at ends of separated…”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector and a supporter were listed as speakers for the application.

The decision

The Strategic Director for Place was authorised to issue the decision notices, including permission for the roads and associated works.

“R24/0733 – Demolition of existing building, alterations to Cawston Lane, formation of a single carriageway road (the Community Spine Road), formation of a temporary access road to Cherry Tree Farm, construction of footways, cycleways and crossing points and associated works (including landscape and drainage).”

Minutes