Ashlawn Road housing application REFUSED by Rugby planners

The plans submitted by David Wilson Homes were rejected due to concerns over increased traffic and issues around the Dun Cow junction in Dunchurch, as well as concerns over air pollution.

Stop Ashlawn Road Development protesters were delighted with the news.

Group chairman, Cllr Bill Lewis, said: “As Chair of SARD, I thank all those residents who signed our petitions and wrote letters of objection to the planners at Rugby Borough Council or to the local newspapers.

“Thanks too to those who supported SARDs demonstrations, or in the case of the Pegasus crossing event, tolerated it.

“Huge thanks too to the active members of the SARD committee who gave freely of their time and energy to form an effective opposition to the developer’s proposals and thanks to a certain hotel in Dunchurch where SARD was welcomed to hold its meetings. We have won a battle but the war against inappropriate and unsustainable development is not over.”

But the group may have another battle on its hands as Rugby Borough Council has identified the same site as a potential development area under its Local Plan.

Richard Edwards, Strategic Land Director for Barratt & David Wilson Homes’ East Region said; “We are disappointed that a pro-growth Local Authority such as Rugby is not following its own Development Plan, which identifies the Ashlawn Road site as a current direction for growth, and is also being carried forward as a housing allocation in the emerging Local Plan.

“Following the Planning Committee’s decision to refuse the application we will be considering all our options going forward, which could result in a re-submission of the planning application, or an appeal against the decision to the Secretary of State.”

Cllr Lewis added: “SARD will comment on the draft Local Plan for Rugby which earmarks almost all the land between Rugby and Dunchurch and the Ashlawn Fields for future development.

“If you have not seen the plans and you would like to know more, there is a drop in exhibition organised by Cllrs Marion Nash and Bill Lewis at the Overslade Community Centre on Buchanan Road between 2pm and 4pm on Sunday 31 January.”