Testun llawn:
Regrettably, scenario 3 totally ignores previous objections to the huge number of houses needed to accommodate such an unrealistic population increase. Indeed, when applied to the period of the Core Strategy, the figure would equate to over 16,000 new homes and well in excess of the proposals in the Core Strategy.
A tenet of the local plan, is a sustainable development strategy, with new development built so as not to threaten the existing high quality built and natural environments. 12,000 new houses will impact negatively on the natural environment because of the need to build on green field sites and the loss of the green space areas, which distinguish the towns of Kenilworth, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick, Whitnash and other areas of the District, would be the consequence. Such large scale development would result in the bulk of new housing being located in close proximity to existing housing and create continuous urban sprawl.
The Town Council would therefore wish to support Scenario 1, with an expectation that the District Council would direct growth to brown field land, until such time as the District Council:
* Clearly identifies realistic population growth
* Provides an appraisal of housing and employment level requirements
* Identifies the infrastructure necessary to support growth
* Allocates development to sites which have the necessary infrastructure to support development and which have local support.
In every circumstance Scenario 3 should be rejected because it is based upon unrealistic population growth and Scenario 2 should not be contemplated, less the District Council demonstrate that the above requirements are met.
Within Scenario 1, the Council should explore all means to bring forward new homes which are affordable to Warwick residents rather than migrants from the West Midlands. The whole direction of the Local Plan should be to meet local needs.