BASE HEADER

I am vehemently opposed to the proposed development of the Greenbelt land North of Leamington and Warwick. I would like to comment particularly on the land north of Milverton, as this is the area of land that I know and use.

I believe that the council has seriously underestimated the value of this particular area land as a recreation site. The land is almost constantly used and enjoyed by very many walkers, runners and dog owners, and development of this site would be of huge detriment to the area. As is stated in the Government's National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 'our natural environment is essential to our wellbeing'. Development of this site would seriously diminish the opportunities for people living in the area to access open, green spaces in their locality.

Permanence is an essential characteristic of the Green Belt. To say that the remaining areas of Greenbelt will be closely protected is not convincing. The proposed developments will create a jagged Greenbelt boundary. It is hard to believe that the land between and surrounding the Milverton and Blackdown sites would not be subject to 'infill' planning requests - and that future Councils would never approve this. The gradual 'chipping away' of the Greenbelt will lead to its eventual obliteration and coalescence of the neighbouring towns.

Another strong argument for protecting this area of land is its immense agricultural value. Far from taking away from the Greenbelt arguments (as I interpreted Bill Hunt's comments at the Old Milverton meeting to mean), this is an additional and extremely valid reason for not building on this site. The NPPF states that 'Sustainable means ensuring that better lives for ourselves don't mean worse lives for future generations'. This definition surely has to include an ability to provide food for ourselves.

In these times of prolonged economic recession, the region faces an uncertain future. I believe planners should exercise extreme caution in these times. We must not destroy the greenbelt based on housing demand projections that may prove to be inaccurate. Let us build on brown field and white field sites first, then consider Greenbelt land ONLY when all other possibilities have been completely exhausted.

The NFFP states that planning should be a collective enterprise that includes people and communities. You have a responsibility to listen to the concerns of the public and to ensure that there is genuine consultation in this process. Attendance at meetings at Trinity School and Old Milverton Church have demonstrated the strength of opposition to this development. To ignore these views would be to neglect your duties