Background

Plans are submitted for the proposed development, by St. Modwen Homes, for 134 dwellings, on greenfield land of significant natural interest.

If you believe the proposed development will not benefit the local community and wildlife, please sign the petition!

Google Earth View​

Planning Application​

Site Plan (tree and woodland felling in grey) - see below​

Facebook Link

Wildlife & Nature
The developer plans to remove nearly 2 acres of established habitat, known to house badgers, bats and hedgehogs, all legally protected species. Being left to nature for nearly a quarter of a century, this greenfield site is a ready-made nature reserve! A haven for wildlife, res-idents have spotted an owl, a deer, a red kite, rabbits, jays, long-tailed tit groups, wrens, rob-ins, dunnocks, thrushes, woodpeckers, great tits, chaffinches, bullfinches, blue tits, coal tits, magpies, blackbirds, squirrels and foxes. Let’s not destroy this wonderful habitat!

Trees
The developer plans to remove 25 trees and 3 woodland areas. Some trees are visible miles away and are around 100 years old. Tree preservation orders (TPO) are in place for a large number of trees on the site but planning approval will override the TPOs. The Rugby Borough Council Tree Policy Action Plan seeks to increase, not decrease, the tree canopy in the area. Tree coverage in Rugby is already in the lowest 20% nationally. The Forestry Commission has just granted funding to the County Council to increase tree canopy cover focussing on urban areas. Why destroy the woodland and tree canopy that we already have?

Congestion
A new one-way system is proposed, to accommodate an increase of one car every 60 seconds at peak times. All Benn Ward estate res-idents, plus those from 89 new houses, would be required to drive onto the estate from Dale Street and off the estate by turning out onto the heavily congested Newbold Road. This small estate cannot reasonably support all the increased traffic.

Parking problems
The loss of 8 parking spaces on Princes Street, along with more parking expected to be required for new residents, will make parking even more difficult for everyone on the estate. Residents, who already pay for parking permits, may even have to start using pay and display facilities off the estate.

Infrastructure & Pollution
There are already significant drainage issues for some local residents, which may worsen due to the increase in waste water. There will be an inevitable increase in pollution.

Why This Site?
The development of this site is not referenced in the Local Plan for Rugby. If the town needs the houses, let’s build them in a better place at a lower economic cost.

Update 6 April 2024:  To the campaign team's knowledge, 283 objection letters were sent to the planning officer, by the 4 March 2024 deadline.  We now await the hearing, expected in May or June.  Keep an eye on the  planning portal (link above) to see consultees' responses - there have been objections so far in respect of ecology, trees, flooding and from Sport England.