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Dear Sirs,

I object to the proposed development in Old Milverton and Blackdown specified in Warwick District Council's 'Preferred Options for the Local Plan.

I am a resident on Leicester Lane(no. 64) and have lived on this road for the past 10 years. I regularly enjoy walking and running in this area, along with many of the other local residents, whereby many families can be seen walking dogs or cycling. This land has great recreational value to many families and locals. If this land is built on, it would mean having to get in my car and drive to somewhere for recreation. Some people will not have the means to do this. Removing local recreaction would have a negative impact on health and well being.
Building on this Green Belt would not only encroach on the beautiful countryside to deprive us of recreational use, but would encourage the sprawling of Leamington to the north side, allowing it to merge with Kenilworth. I fear Leamington will lose the charm and character that make it a special and beautiful town.

It is my understanding the Government's National Planning Framework requires there to be "very special circumstances" for development in the Green Belt. It is also my understanding that Warwick District Council state there is nowhere else for these home to be built. I would like to contest this as it has been brought to my attention that there are other areas of non Green Belt land still available to build on as identifed in the "2009 Core Strategy". This previous plan and assessment by Warwick District Council showed it was easier to develop with more infrastructure already in existence. This area is closer to the M40 with existing employment opportunities South of Leamington, along with existing out of town shopping and good access to the town centre. So why haven't these areas been persued? Surely this negates the "exceptional circumstances" to build on Green Belt.

This proposal concerns me because even more Green Belt would be lost to implement the necessary infrastructure, which does not currently exist. The financial cost to build roads etc. would surely be greater if this plan were to go ahead in preference to the sites in South Leamington.

I believe that Warwick District Council argues the land in South Leamington is not as attractive to developers as they would not make as much profit. I feel this does not make for "very special circumstances" to build on Green Belt! Financial gain for developers is not a reason to destroy our Green Belt.

Whilst I fully understand the need for new housing, I am surprised by the number of homes proposed. I understand that Warwick District Council have added approximately 1400 homes as a "buffer" for future needs. I have to query whether this number is actually too high, especially given the current climate of recession. If this "buffer" were to be removed, there would be no need to build on Old Milverton and Blackdown. Building on Green Belt would have a detrimental impact on the ambiance and therefore the amenity value of the land.

In the wake of the latest floods and amounts of rainfall lately, my thoughts have been drawn to the fact that the Green Belt offers the facility as a floodplain. If the land was built on, surely there would be more "run off" water that would contribute to increased local flooding.

I urge you to please reconsider your Proposed Options,

Yours sincerely,

Linda Castle