BASE HEADER

Other

ID sylw: 107688

Derbyniwyd: 04/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Pete Frteeman

Q.1 Do you agree that we should prepare a Local Plan for South Warwickshire?

I have no issue with the concept of a "local plan" as long as the planning process is clear, well publicized, open to challenge (both legal or otherwise) at all stages of the planning process. It should also be truly representative of the local needs, both current and projected and not be based on some "top down" ill-thought-out "boondoggle" inspired by the deeply flawed figures originating from Whitehall. It should be incumbent on the council (as representatives of the local electorate) to provide both evidence and statistical modelling in support the "local plan" and this should undergo open and intense public scrutiny and validation prior to agreement.

Q.2 Do you agree with our approach of starting a high-level, strategic part 1 Local Plan?

There are a number of aspects of your approach that I disagree with here such as the splitting up of strategic policy from local policy. Strategic policy inflicts upon local policy; the two should not be abstracted in order to speed up a planning process. Strategic policy needs to be challenged where demand has been ridiculously inflated to meet some ill-conceived central policy objective. Also, the idea that the planning process should be expedited or shortcut in some way is not a good objective.
Look at the deeply flawed and ill-planned developments that have occurred in recent decades in both Warwick and Stratford and one is reminded of the well-used adage:
“Act in haste repent at leisure”
Why not try “bottom-up” questioning of strategic policy? As it is obvious that central government don’t know what they’re doing in most if not all aspects of policy.

Q.3 Do you agree that the Local Plan should run to 2050?
From experience, it can be argued that most governments react to circumstance so the idea of them having a plan stretching 30 years into the future is as amusing as it is absurd. 15 years alone seems somewhat lengthy but your document describes it as “national policy” ………. Stick with that time scale and challenge any adjustment.

Q.4 Do you agree that this is the right evidence that we need to inform the Local Plan?
The evidence list seems comprehensive, but should not be used as a justification to “fiddle around” adversely with the Green Belt.