BASE HEADER

We object to the proposed development in Old Milverton and Blackdown contained in Warwick District Council's Preferred Options for the Local Plan, on the following grounds:
As the Government's National Planning Policy Framework requires there to be 'very Special circumstances' for development in the Green Belt, we cannot understand why W.D.C. is putting the above proposal forward when there was land identified in the '2009 Core Strategy' south of Leamington, land which is still available, easier to develop, and with a substantial amount of infrastructure, such as roads, to support the development. I tis close to the M40 and there are existing employment opportunities South of Leamington as well as existing out of town shopping facilities and good access to the two town centres. The previous plan ( 2009 Core Strategy ) is direct evidence that there are alternative areas for development.
The fact that land to the South of Leamington is not so attractive to the developers is, in our opinion, not a 'very special circumstance' to permit development in the green belt.
Developing in the green belt areas of Old Milverton and Blackdown would be very detrimental to the green lung of the area and use up land which has both good agricultural use and is of great recreational value to the local community. It is enjoyed by many cyclists, walkers, runners, and riders and at a time when the Government is encouraging people to take exercise to maintain fitness and health. The Government's National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that great importance is attached to Greenbelts and that the fundamental aim of Greenbelt is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open.
The Greenbelt in Old Milverton and Blackdown fulfils the 5 purposes of Green belt set out in the NPPF and should therefore remain as open Greenbelt land as it:
* Prevents the unrestricted sprawl of Leamington to the north
* Prevents the merging of Leamington and Kenilworth
* Helps safeguard the countryside from encroachment
* Helps preserve the setting and special character of Leamington Spa ( a historic town)
* Helps urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land

We do not believe there are 'special circumstances' for building in Old Milverton and Blackdown and feel very strongly that there are still many derelict town sites and brown areas which could be used to build affordable housing. Our fear is that building in Old Milverton and Blackdown will encourage developers to build luxury or upper value homes rather than affordable housing. We also fear that because there is so little infrastructure in these two areas that the building will not just be houses but schools, medical facilities, shops, and other necessary buildings and with all this will come the need to increase road access, all of which will dramatically change the nature of this part of Leamington Spa and create the 'urban sprawl' which the Government's NPPF is seeking to avoid.
We ask you to please reconsider your Preferred Options.