Showing scant regard for the locals

The existing group of buildings, which formed the Oak Inn, have grown up over time and all are of some age. The developers wish to demolish most of this – leaving virtually only the façade of the original house standing. It is not a scheme which shows much respect to the conservation area or Leamington. In its place would be a large, stark, uncompromisingly modern extension - which would have no visual relationship to any of the existing surrounding architecture in this area, nor to the period property it would be attached to. I believe that this sharp contrast between the remains of the period house and brutally modern large extension would be a visual disaster which would mar this part of Leamington.

I do not believe this is an appropriate site for a Sainsbury’s Local store as it can provide very little customer parking and traffic movements, in and out of this site, would take place on, what are already, busy roads. Inevitably, people using the store would be likely to try to park in surrounding streets.

The proposed development is close to residential dwellings and noise from its air conditioning units, deliveries and customers would occur from early morning to late at night. This cannot be fair to those who live in the neighbourhood.

It is unfriendly to the already existing nearby small shops – their future is directly threatened by this proposal.

I have nothing against Sainbury’s, as such, but their attempts to put a Local store on every possible site they can find in Leamington, even when it is an inappropriate site, shows scant regard for our town.

Obviously something has to be done to make use of the former Oak Inn – but it should not be desperate schemes such as this. I would have thought that much needed housing would be a better solution.

If Sainsbury’s wish to be seen as a friendly concern – they should rethink their proposed use of this site. - Malcolm Baxter, Avenue Road, Leamington.