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I am writing to express my opposition to the District Council's plans to develop on Green Belt Land as shown in their 2012 Preferred Options booklet. The previously published 2009 Core Strategy presented a less expensive option which did not require the use of Green Belt land, and I can see no significant change that has occurred in the intervening period which would justify the elimination of this Green Belt land. Building on the Green Belt is meant to be permitted in 'exceptional' circumstances only and the justification for this in the preferred options booklet is unclear.

The development of this land would not only damage an area which is much loved by the local residents and by many walkers, runners riders and cyclists, but would also lead to the erosion of the gap between Leamington and Kenilworth and eventually contribute the merging of the two communities. New infrastructure would also be required to service these new houses leading to increased traffic and noise pollution in the North of Leamington. The South of the town already has elements of the supporting structure in terms of roads and shops and as such it would seem to make more sense in these times of economic hardship to focus on the less expensive alternative.