Six ways in which David Wilson Homes’ proposals will be bad for Dunchurch

The Dun Cow junction in the heart of the village is already heavily used. The mathematics of queues show that even a small increase in the number of cars arriving at a heavily used junction results in a disproportionately large increase in queuing time.

David Wilson Homes are proposing to build 860 houses off the Ashlawn Road. Almost everyone who lives there and has a job in Coventry, Warwick or Milton Keynes and commutes by car will want to drive through Dunchurch. There would be hundreds of extra cars during the "rush" hour. So David Wilson Homes' proposal would result in extra queuing and extra air pollution in the heart of Dunchurch Village. David Wilson Homes know that their basic proposal is unsustainable and should be rejected by Rugby Borough Council's planners. Therefore they have proposed a "mitigation" scheme which creates a "gyratory" system around the Dun Cow junction. This has been described as a mini "spaghetti junction" by some local residents.

There are six reasons why this scheme is bad for Dunchurch:

1. The adverse effect on the historic centre of Dunchurch with "Guy Fawkes" house, the church, the almshouses, Lord John statue and war memorial. Rugby Borough Council recognise the centre of Dunchurch as a conservation area;

2. It could increase air pollution and in particular nitrogen oxides (NOX);

3. It would reduce the number of parking spaces in the village, resulting in a loss of trade for the village's small traders;

4. According to the county council's highway engineers the scheme would "present a significant barrier to pedestrian and cyclist movements within the village";

5. Again according to the county council's highway engineers the scheme is likely to lead to more traffic collisions with vehicles knocking down pedestrians; and finally

6. The county council's highway engineers suggest the scheme could even intensify the extra congestion caused by the traffic coming from the additional houses.

Some of these concerns were first flagged by Richard Dickson, others by Warwickshire County Council's highway engineers. Peter Eccleson, chair of Dunchurch Parish Council, particularly raised the issue of air pollution at last Friday's meeting (21 November 2014). If you can think of any additional concerns we would like to hear from you. (Naturally as democrats we would also like to hear from you if you support David Wilson Homes' proposals. Four people have written to Rugby Borough Council supporting the proposals but none of them live in Dunchurch).

Over fifty Dunchurch residents have already responded to Richard Dickson's leaflet and written to Rugby Borough Council with their individual concerns about David Wilson Homes' proposal. The quickest way to comment is to send an email to Karen.McCulloch@rugby.gov.uk .

All developers are required by law to consult with local residents before submitting a planning application. The exhibition David Wilson Homes held had no sketches, plans or written materials about their proposal to alter the Dun Cow junction.

If you want more information about David Wilson's scheme or want to help Richard Dickson with his campaign e-mail him at richarddickson2902@outlook.com or ring him on 07713.594506.

Richard Dickson is the Liberal Democrats' prospective parliamentary candidate for the Kenilworth and Southam constituency. This constituency includes Dunchurch (everything to the north of the village is in the Rugby constituency).

To read about what happened at the Dunchurch Parish Council meeting click here http://rugbylibdems.org.uk/en/article/2014/945569/dunchurch-parish-council-meeting-condemns-dun-cow-junction-plans .