The Examination took place over a four week period in November/December. The first two weeks consisted of hearings with attendees presenting evidence to the examiner appointed to carry out the task, Mr Nigel Payne from the Planning Inspectorate, on matters appearing in the Core Strategy Presentation. During the third week Nigel Payne visited areas around Coventry, to gain first hand knowledge of the city. In the fourth week the examiner looked at new areas proposed during the consultation period.

The Coventry Core Strategy states that a total of 33,500 homes are needed to be built in or adjacent to Coventry by 2026. In this strategy 3,750 homes are proposed for eco-village to be built between Keresley Green and Keresley Newlands. An article by Mike O’Brian, MP for North Warwickshire & Bedworth highlighted the fact that the Coventry City Council Core Strategy required the Nuneaton & Bedworth District Council to build an additional 3,500 overspill houses in their district adjacent to the Coventry border in the Keresley Ash Green area. At a council meeting on 16th October, the plan to build 3500 overspill houses was rejected.

In the meantime Core Strategy produced by Coventry City Council examination has been completed. The format of this examination was an open round table discussion by interested parties in order to assist examiner, Nigel Payne, to reach a conclusion as to the soundness of the Core Strategy. One day being allocated for a discussion about the Keresley eco-village plus a half day visit to the area. Here he had half a dozen local residents to show him the neighbourhood which is under threat.

Many speakers have complained of the poor or non-existent level of consultation. In a postal survey conducted by Geoffrey Robinson MP in which 70% of his constituents replied poor or non-existent. In an earlier consultation held by Coventry for a Local Development Plan in 1971 local consultation was generated by having special newspaper supplements, advertisements, letters to all residents, meetings and 10 specially equipped buses touring the area followed by a random follow up to 1000 people enabling the effectiveness of the campaign to be determined.

One of the major points of disagreement was the number of homes required, 33,500. The Council would point to the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) document saying they must build the number shown there transferred to the Core Strategy. It was stated by some around the table that the number should be based purely upon need and that if one looks at projected population growth this number was excessive. In addition there is a need for jobs to create a climate to encourage people to move and live here. Ansty Park , one of the major sites provided for employers to move to, has recently had two companies pull out from the site – Tata and Ericsson.

The council has consistently reiterated that the order in which the land would be used, brownfield first, then greenfield and lastly greenbelt. Those representing developers challenged this position citing the time it would take to build 3750 houses. The area for the proposed country park would remain a rural country area, as it is now, linked by a green wedge along Hall Brook. Cross border issues were discussed regarding the developments wanted by the council at both Keresley to the north in the Nuneaton & Bedworth district and to the south next to Finham, Kings Hill in Warwick district. However Coventry council stated that they would have no involvement in the plans adopted by either of these two councils.

Transport links in the area were examined. In this discussion, representatives from the transport planning departments of both Coventry and Warwick were present. Both parties stressed the need for joint planning and consultation when cross border projects were being developed. The council stated that plans for the NUCKLE1 rail plan will be completed by February 2010 and funding put in place. It is envisaged completion by 2015. It would comprise a new platform at Coventry station and new stations at Ricoh and Bermuda in Nuneaton.

The new City Centre development plan is to be published shortly for consultation. Improved shopping areas and high quality office space was needed in order to attract people and businesses. Housing should be included to prevent the city centre becoming dead zone at night. Currently many city dwellers from Coventry will go to Leamington or Birmingham to shop rather than here. These new plans are designed to reverse this trend.

The examination ended on 4th December at which time the examiner, Nigel Payne, left to cogitate on all the evidence amassed during the 4 weeks spent here. He estimates that he will be able to publish his findings at the end of April 2010. The findings of the examiner are binding upon the council who will be required to amend its’ core strategy in line with any changes given prior to its adoption and publication.