BASE HEADER

We wish to object to the new local plan on the following grounds:

1. WDC has comprehensively failed to overcome, with your plans, the specific need to show that due to "exceptional circumstances" it is deemed necessary to build on Green Belt areas under the National Planning Policy Framework.

2. Furthermore, WDC has not proved a case that there is "insufficient suitable and available sites outside the green belt". On the contrary, WDC has already highlighted available land south of Heathcote and east of A452, Europa Way. WDC has chosen to ignore these two sites in your "Preferred Option Sites". We assert that WDC has taken this approach in order to "spread out" intended new developments. We strongly object to this on the basis that it is nothing more than a political policy when your responsibility in this matter should be governed solely by a planning policy. In short, the WDC "Preferred Option Paper" does not stand up to legal scrutiny in demonstrating the strict evidence required to develop Green Belt which is a core condition of NPF.

3. In addition, WDC has failed to put up a convincing case that it either understands or is aware of the substantial investment in infrastructure that would be required to support the development plans. Before any decision is reached, WDC should provide a comprehensive, detailed and fully costed summary of an infrastructure investment plan and how this would be financed.

Concluding remarks

Planners are notoriously known for producing population and demand projections which so often miss the mark. On the basis of our above objections, we have very little confidence in your figures. If WDC has got the above 3 points glaring wrong, why should it be reasonably expected of local residents to simply accept your over-all future projections upon which you base the new local plan.

Finally, as planners, you have an important responsibility to avoid the merger of existing living locations and spaces into single larger urban areas unless there are exceptional reasons. For example, your plans clearly threatens the current status quo of Leamington Spa, Old Milverton and Kenilworth which maintain their unique characteristics as separate entities. In addition, a great deal of the land that you would consume to the north of Leamington is used for recreation, walking and enjoyment of the countryside. If you choose to develop the greenbelt, this will no longer be the case although you would have failed to demonstrate with your new local plan that you meet all of the conditions and requirements laid down by National Policy before you build on Green Belt.