A PROPOSAL to build 4,500 houses on greenbelt land near Finham was discussed at a meeting on Monday night (April 24) at Finham Primary School.
Hosted by Finham Parish Council (FPC) and the Finham Residents Association (FRA), the meeting was managed by Coun John Blundell and allowed residents the opportunity to air their views about the development and ask questions.
The homes off Kings Hill Lane near Finham would be situated right on the Coventry-Warwickshire border – meaning new residents would likely use neighbouring services rather than those in further afield Warwickshire.
A total of 140 residents attended the meeting expecting to see Coventry City Council make a presentation. However they withdrew their offer to address the meeting.
Speakers on the night included Merle Gering and Peter Langley, who represented the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, and David Barber and Gary Fisher for Warwick District Council.
During the meeting. Mr Langley said he had grave doubts about the independence of the Warwick District Council local plan inspector.
A Finham Residents Association spokesperson said: “The stance of Coventry County Council and Warwick District Council is the situation facing us is accomplished.
“This is despite Kings Hill being greenbelt land, despite the questionable validity of the council’s housing figures, and despite the resistance to this proposed development by the residents of Finham.
“The residents of Finham were very unhappy about the lack of responsibility shown by Coventry City Council who are wholly responsible and are the only reason there was a need to hold the meeting last night.”
A Warwick District Council document was shown to those present on the night.
The spokesperson continued: “The document states the housing number had grown from 4,000 to 4,500 – and added an additional 500 houses was not significant.
“But last night Warwick District Council stated that the figure was still 4,000.
“This created further lack of confidence in the document.
“The wording of the WDC document appears to show a decision has already been made.”
