Testun llawn:
I have not had the time to study closely the proposed details, but from the information that I have managed to obtain, I would make the following comments.
1. The original proposals made under the RSS showed the majority of development to the south of Leamington Spa. This was done on what I believe or understand was an even handed basis on what was best for the area. Due to opposition by people locally affected, the proposals have now been changed such that there will be an intrusion of the green belt area between Leamington, Kenilworth and Warwick. How can the changes be based on sound planning principles?
2. Access to towns and road networks are important and the proposals do take this into account. However, why not develop the whole area around Hill Wootton for example and have a separate viable, sustainable village? Far fewer residents would be adversely affected and the gaps between Leamington and Hill Wootton would remain for the Leamington residents. It is true that the occupiers of property in Hill Wootton would be adversely affected. However, there would be compensatory factors, but most of which would not be appreciated by the residents!!
3. The present transport proposals would put dual carriageways around the triangle of which Hill Wootton is at the centre. The traffic noise and nuisance will increase and access from Hill Wootton to Leamington may be completely unsatisfactory as it is likely that the turn from the Hill Wootton Road to Leamington Spa will be closed, thus creating a great nuisance for current residents of Hill Wootton if wishing to proceed to Leamington Spa. It will increase the distance of going to Leamington Spa by at least one mile and there will be huge delays when having to travel towards Kenilworth and turn around at the first island.
So the question I ask is - how can the planning office have come up with their current proposals when these are totally contradicting the proposals made under the RSS?
Although I am in favour of proper development as is shown necessary, I am hugely concerned that these proposals have been ill-considered. There will be a significant increase in traffic along the A46 and at the junction onto the M40, not only due to developments in Leamington Spa, but also from Kenilworth and south Coventry.
Although I have no substantial objections to the proposal, it will adversely affect many people and one of the benefits of the original proposals was the affinity of the M40. Access from north Leamington through Leamington itself is desperately needed to be improved - little consideration appears to have been given to this.