BASE HEADER

We wish to object to the new local plan for the development of green belt land to the north of Leamington. This is not because we contest the need for further housing development, rather that the plan has not been properly thought through, inasmuch as other, non-green belt land has already been identified by your team as "suitable for development". We also feel that projections for future housing needs have been based on exceptional population growth during the boom years. This projection is highly suspect in the light of the current (and projected) economic situation. The recession is still with us, and is likely to be with us for years to come, so the opportunities for growth are going to be exceedingly limited.

Additionally, there is not the infrastructure in north Leamington to support such a development, and providing such would add significantly to the cost (apparently £28m just for a new road!) and further upheaval to a town which has seen more than its share of disruption over recent times. We believe there is sufficient land relevant to a sensible assessment of future needs to the south of Leamington where the infrastructure and employment already exists.

In conclusion, we feel that WDC has not demonstrated the "exceptional circumstances" necessary to build on Green Belt under the National Planning Policy Framework.