Testun llawn:
I am writing to object to the proposed changes to the Green Belt around North Leamington. I have lived in the area off Old Milverton Road since 1978 and during that time the Green Belt has been vigorously protected to prevent it spreading towards Kenilworth. From what I have read about the current proposal the encroachment into the Green Belt is both inappropriate and unjustified. I am advised that the proposals ignore Warwick District Council's own study of the Green Belt land at Old Milverton and Blackdown, which concluded that both areas had high Green Belt value. This land has great recreational value to the local community. It is enjoyed by many runners, riders, walkers and cyclists.
It is my understanding that Green Belt land should only be put forward in Very Special Circumstances such as there are no alternative sites available for development. Surely the Council's main priority should be to help urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land?
It is also my understanding that there is land available in the south of Leamington which is not protected Green Belt and which has previously been identified for development but which has not been included in the current plan. Why is that? Blackdown and Old Milverton have always been primarily farming areas and employment requirements have gravitated to the south of town with its better employment prospects, its infrastructure and easier access to the motorway system. Adding more housing and employment facilities in North Leamington will only add to the existing overloading of the road system around the Kenilworth Road and building a Northern Relief Road will only push the congestion further into Leamington centre. The budgeted cost of the relief road is £28 million - can the town afford such a gamble with very scarce resources in these tight times?
It has been suggested that developers may make more profit from building in the north Leamington area and that has been a reason for the council to ignore its own policy to stop urban sprawl that would harm the open nature of the open countryside. Developers' profitability is not a Very Special Circumstance.
I believe that the Council's population projections are based upon the boom years and that the population growth now is unlikely to require the quantity of housing that is being suggested. The projected quantity of new housing required appears to have come about because the Council has included a buffer or contingency of 1400 houses. If that contingency is removed there would be no need to develop either Blackdown or Old Milverton.
Please reconsider your Preferred Options.