Dunchurch Parish Council Responds to Rugby Borough Local Plan Consultation

The Council’s response reflects widespread community concern over proposed development in and around Dunchurch and raises serious questions about the sustainability and fairness of the current draft.

At the heart of the Council’s concerns is the omission of Dunchurch from the settlement hierarchy outlined in Policy S1. This oversight, we believe, undermines the consultation’s credibility and may have led residents to wrongly assume the proposals did not apply to them. This omission is compounded by factual errors elsewhere in the consultation document, such as mislabeling Fenley Fields as being within Cawston when it falls within the Dunchurch parish boundary.

The Council has voiced strong objections to two proposed residential developments within the parish: Land South of Coventry Road (Site 341) and Homestead Farm (Site 90). While recognising the need for new housing, the Council argues that these greenfield sites are not suitable or sustainable locations for the scale of development proposed. The response details concerns about the local schools and GP surgery, both of which are already at or beyond capacity. Infrastructure across the parish, including roads and parking, is under significant strain. Traffic congestion, poor air quality, and risks to pedestrian safety are already well documented and would only worsen with further development.

In addition to these pressures, the Council highlights the risk to Dunchurch’s historic character and biodiversity. The village’s Conservation Area and listed buildings, along with its valued green spaces and wildlife habitats, would be negatively affected by inappropriate development. The risk of localised flooding is also increasing, making further development without robust mitigation measures unwise.

The Council believes the current draft plan fails to make adequate use of previously developed or brownfield land—sites that national planning policy encourages councils to prioritise. Locations such as the former Westway Car Park, Round Gardens, and Herbert Grey College in Rugby are cited as examples of overlooked opportunities for sustainable development. Within Dunchurch itself, the depot on Southam Road is identified as a potential redevelopment site that would be far more appropriate than the greenfield alternatives proposed.

Constructive alternatives have been put forward, including the reallocation of safeguarded land (such as Site 17 in South West Rugby) for housing rather than employment. The Council also argues for exploring higher-density development on suitable existing sites to reduce pressure on greenfield land.

Residents are strongly encouraged to read the full submission to understand the scale of the issues involved and the Council’s position. The Local Plan will shape the future of Dunchurch for generations to come, and community engagement is essential.