Leek Wootton (LWFC) planning Inquiry appeal fund.

Leek Wootton Focus Group (LWFG) oppose Cala Homes (Cotswolds) Ltd application for planning permission to build 83 dwellings on the Woodcote Estate, Leek Wootton. Due to Warwickshire District Council not making a decision on Cala’s application within the permitted period, Cala appealed to the Planning Inspectorate. The Planning Inspectorate have agreed that Cala’s planning application will be determined now by means of a Planning Inquiry on the 25th July 2023. This is to last 6 days.

This means that Cala and WDC, along with their legal teams will present their case to the Planning Inspector and hear evidence from their respective experts.

Subject to funding, LWFG intend to apply for Rule 6 status. This means we will be able to represent the LWFG views, have access to all relevant documents, present evidence and cross examine witnesses. It gives us a voice at the table and the best chance to persuade the Inspector of the merits of our case.

The decision for a Planning Inquiry was notified to us on the 3rd May 2023 along with notice of the tight case management timetable. Therefore if we are to represent our views at the Inquiry, we must urgently seek legal advice to prepare and submit a Statement of Case to the Planning Inspectorate by 2 June 2023 and attend a case management conference on the 6th June 2023.

In order to ensure that our case is well made, we urgently need to raise funds to obtain legal/planning advice and representation. This will include instructing a barrister and/or planning consultant and other relevant expert. as advised by our planning experts.

This will require a massive funding raising effort in a very short period of time. Crowd funding has been chosen as a fast and practical way to raise the necessary funds. .

GoFundMe is an international fund raising organisation with all the facilities in place for a UK fund raising and appears the most practical and cost effective. GoFundMe charge a transaction fee of 2.9% on each donation plus 25p per donor.

Because of the fast track nature of this appeal, we have set a provisional target of £20,000. A more accurate assessment, will be made available when we have further details.

If we fail to reach the current target, we will not be able to afford legal representation.

LWFG position:

LWFG are not opposed in principle to new housing. We fully understand the need for housing and the benefits that new housing brings to an area. We are more than happy to share our beautiful village with more residents. However, we strongly oppose the planning application to build on the most ecologically and heritage rich part of our village, which will alter its character and appearance as well as Woodcote Lane being too narrow and unsafe for more traffic.

The irony of the tale is that the proposed site was taken out of the Green Belt in 2016 on the basis of Warwickshire Police were vacating the site and that as a result of selling the entire site, the ugly 1960's police buildings choking the Manor House would be removed; there would be restoration of Woodcote House, a Grade Listed II building with historic assets restored and there would be more community access.

But Warwickshire Police remain in occupation and as a result there will be no restoration of the site at all. There will be none of the benefits we were told would happen in 2016 and which formed part of the Local Plan. Those benefits had been considered sufficiently significant to outweigh the detriments of removing the land from the Green Belt. BUT NOW Cala’s proposed development will just add cumulative harms to this heritage and ecologically rich site. Please see our website for evidence of why this is such a precious site. You will then know why we call it the forgotten jewel of Leek Wootton. Our position is that there are better sites in the village eg near the school, which would avoid the harms of Cala’s application. This includes removing 71 established trees as well as extensive hedgerows along Woodcote Lane.

If you are as appalled by the damage done to our country by HS2, we are convinced you will be as passionate as we are to avoid a similar catastrophe in Leek Wootton. Therefore if you are able to financially support us – you can be assured it is for a worthy cause!

Please donate via the GoFundMe website. Please encourage your neighbours, friends and family and any other groups to donate ASAP. Share this story on social media.

For more information you can look at our website - https://www.lwfocusgroup.co.uk/ - Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/403560278346852/