Testun llawn:
I am writing to object to Warwick District Council's Preferred Options plan for the local area.
I am a new resident to Warwickshire, having moved to Leamington Spa at Easter. I was attracted to the area because of the historic nature of the town and also its fantastic rural surroundings. The idea that both of these appealing aspects are to be compromised leaves me considering my future in this town.
I attended the Old Milverton Parish Council meeting on Monday 16th July at which Bill Hunt stated that the Council's "preferred options" are sustainable. In line with UK Sustainable Development Strategy, 2005, he quoted the definition of sustainable development; 'the aim [...] is to ensure that people can meet basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life without compromising the quality of life of future generations'. I fail to see how this applies to the new proposals in any way at all. Building on the greenbelt land will compromise the quality of life of future generations in every manner possible. I believe that the merging of some of Warwickshire's best towns and villages will lead to poorer urban environments, whilst the destruction to the countryside is unthinkable. The area of land at Old Milverton and Blackdown provides all that a greenbelt should and has infinite worth to both the local community and further afield. It is fun as well as functional, and used by residents and visitors alike to walk, run, ride, cycle, explore and play.
There is on-going reference to the 'exceptional circumstances' which justify this plan and yet I strongly object to their existence. According to Warwick District Council the special circumstances are that there is no other location for this development. Even being new to the area and without knowing the details, I understand that there was a viable alternative in South Leamington. The '2009 Core Strategy' was at the time the "preferred option" - what has changed since then? The land is still available and crucially the homes and other amenities could be built on brown and white field sites, not greenbelt. In the South of Leamington there is the existing infrastructure and the proximity to employment that these new plans will lack. Claims that the road network in South Leamington would be unable to cope appears to be unfounded and without real evidential support.
The council has asked for people to come up with alternative ideas so please hear them. I fear that the term 'preferred option' is just a pseudonym for 'our decided plan'. I urge you to open the consultation process wider and really listen, absorb public feedback and develop a number of truly viable possibilities.
The greenbelt is a valuable public space and an asset to Leamington Spa, Warwickshire and the country. Please note my opposition, and that of others. Rethink you plans to develop on Green Belt Land.