Testun llawn:
I would like to register my objection to the development of the Green Belt land around Old Milverton and the surrounding area in North Leamington.
I do not live in Old Milverton, but like many others I have always believed that land which is designated as 'Green Belt' has been deemed as such because there are very good reasons for preserving its characteristics for the good of all, and resisting development in those green belt areas should always be paramount.
However, it would seem that the Council, despite having other land in the South of Leamington, which is not in the Green Belt and has already been identified as developable in 2009, have chosen to ignore all the reasons for which the land between Leamington and Old Milverton was made 'Green Belt' in the first place.
The proposals ignore Warwick District Council's study of the Green Belt land at Old Milverton and Blackdown, which concluded that these areas had high Green Belt value.
The Green belt land at Blackdown and Old Milverton not only provides a barrier to the merging of the towns of Kenilworth and Leamington, enabling them to retain their character and individuality, it provides a much needed space in which to enjoy nature, the simple opportunity to walk in the countryside in an already crowded county. There are few opportunities left in this part of Warwickshire to enjoy rural charm and quaintness, but the fields, lanes, countryside and riverbanks here provide many of them. This plan destroys those opportunities and despoils the attractive northern entrance into our elegant Regency town. What does the use of this Green Belt land portend for the remaining fields and river banks?
What can we expect if this proposed plan goes ahead?
* More congestion on expensive new roads.
* Beautiful countryside replaced by sprawling housing estates and to compensate all the walkers, runners, riders, and cyclists who enjoy it, a park.
* The eventual merging of Old Milverton, Leamington and even perhaps Kenilworth.
* 3,000 houses north of Leamington increasing traffic flows on a duel carriageway stoppered at both ends by the two towns at immense cost and causing increased congestion.
* 28 million spent on a Northern 'relief' road which will encourage further development in the Green Belt up to the new road, encroach on the riverbank and take trade away from the already beleaguered town centres.
* Out of town stores further depleting opportunities for independant retailers who make our towns attractive places to visit.
The Government's National Planning Policy Framework requires there to be "very special circumstances" for development in the Green Belt. It also requires the harm caused to the Green Belt by the development to be outweighed by the benefit of the development.
According to Warwick District Council the 'special circumstances' required to encroach on designated Green Belt areas are that there is nowhere else for the homes to be built.
The land in South Warwickshire is still available. It is close to the M40, there are existing employment facilities, out of town shopping facilities and good access to the town centres. Why then not use it, and why is it necessary to develop the Green Belt at great further expense and the loss of a beautiful part of Warwickshire?