Following a press release issued by LAMAG after the protest meeting in Lowsonford village hall, a full page article appeared on page 26 of the May 22nd Birmingham Post.
The article contains many comments from Louise and Peter Deaner which are reproduced below with a LAMAG comment.
Louise Deaner was quoted as saying:
“The scheme would help secure the long term future of the Farming Estate”.
The family wish to “Create the tourist attraction on land bought more than 30 years ago at Poundley End Farm”
“Our vision is to create a marina basin where narrow boats can moor; it will be an environmentally sustainable haven. We have no desire to damage the environment we live in. My mother lives there and my sister lives just outside the village”
“There will be no engineering works and it will be non-residential”
“The Wharf would diversify our land from current farming activities and provide some much needed rural employment. There are no plans for the creation of other commercial enterprises within the proposed marina”.
In response to the article that the land on which the marina is to be built is owned by Zapline Trading, a Company registered in Panama, whose Directors are, Kathleen Deaner- President and Peter Deaner-Secretary, Peter Deaner was quoted as saying:
“Although the land is owned by a Panama Company, this is certainly not a large corporation backed project; it is very much a family run initiative”
“If we were a large corporation then we wouldn’t have to do this development to secure the future of the farm. It doesn’t bother us at all what people say”.
The LAMAG comments to these points are
1) The use of an argument that the marina is to diversify the farm and provide long term viability appears suspect, as the Deaner family have never been farmers and it is only recently that Poundley End has been called a farm.
2) It is laudable that the family has no desire to damage the environment, but this sits uneasily with the creation of a 100 boat marina with 33 car park spaces in the green belt accessed via Rookery Lane.
3) The use of the word Wharf seems to be a new term to create an image of peace and tranquillity.
4) It is pleasing to note that there are no plans for further development, but this is non binding and further applications can be made at any time.
5) The much needed local employment is for two full time people and a few part time summer staff
6) We have no comment to make on the PANAMA connection, and leave this for people to draw any conclusions they wish to.
7) We note that despite unprecedented local opposition, Peter Deaner isn’t bothered at what people say.
We remain convinced that this is an unwelcome development that we, in the village must unite to oppose. We look forward to your continued support
As you know we held a meeting on Tuesday 4th of May at the Lowsonford village hall. We were delighted to see some 80 residents attend.
The purpose of our meeting was to encourage residents who object to the proposed marina development to contact Warwick District Council in writing to, in their own words, explain why they oppose the marina. As LAMAG we will, through our own retained planning consultants, mount all the professional arguments, but it is critical that local residents write in to object. A large volume of individual letters carries a lot of weight with the planning committee.
We handed out at the meeting, our view of the key issues and how to register your own objection. These are listed below as an aide to preparing your objection letter. The information is only a guide. There are other issues that you will have thought of and it is best to write about the adverse impact of the marina as it affects you.
So, if you do not want a marina at Lowsonford, write your email/letter of objection NOW!
The deadline for receipt of these letters is currently 18th May 2010.
Thank you for your continued support
PLANNING ISSUES
Green Belt
- Incorrect use of green belt
- Totally disproportionate to size of village
Farm Diversification
- Does not qualify for farm diversification
Demonstration of Need
- Application needs to prove demonstration of need
Access
- Single track road with no passing places
- Regular flooding on Rookery Lane and Henley/Preston Road
- Danger to children, walkers, cyclists and horse riders
Conservation Area/Listed Buildings
- Adjacent to conservation area
- Very close to listed buildings
Lack of Public Transport
- No bus service
- No train service
- Only access by private car
Non Compliance with Government Local Plan PPG2
- Turning circles ok
- Marinas not – only close to urban fringe
VILLAGE ISSUES
Light & Noise Pollution
- Night lighting – all night, 365 days a year
- Noise from occupants
- Serious threat of parties on boats
Increased Risk of Crime
- Greater risk of burglaries
- Greater risk of general crime
Lack of Amenities
- No shop – increased car movements for every day supplies
Canal Heavily Locked – Fragile & Congested
- Canal already very busy – could not cope with another 100 boats
HOW TO OBJECT TO THE MARINA
Planning Application No. W/10/0424
There are 3 ways of registering your objection to the Marina as follows:
1) Link your objection to the application on the Warwick DC web site:-
Go into www.warwick.gov.uk/WDC/Planning/
Click on Search for a planning application right side (Related Link)
Click on Search planning applications
Case Year Enter 2010
Case Number Enter 0424 and Search
Click on W/10/0424: Land off Rookery Lane etc
Click on Make a Comment at bottom of page
Register your objection
This links directly to the web site but tends to be a bit of a jumble of words.
2) Email your objection separately to:-
planning_west@warwickdc.gov.uk
Head your objection REF: APPLICATION W/10/0424
Using this method will ensure that the exact layout of your email will be registered in “View Documents” linked to the application.
3) Write your objection to:-
The Planning Department
Warwick District Council
Riverside House
Milverton Hill
Leamington Spa
CV32 5HZ
SUPPORT FOR LAMAG
If you wish to help LAMAG, any cheques would be very welcome
These should be made payable to LAMAG and given to:
Polly Jennens at Cornerways, Rookery Lane, Lowsonford, B95 5ER
