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We are writing to oppose the District Council's plans to develop on greenbelt land as
outlined in the 2012 Preferred Options booklet. There are many reasons why the
proposals should not go ahead - here are just some of them.
* Little has changed in the three years since the 2009 Core Strategy was adopted,
and the Preferred Options make no credible case for such a radical change in
policy. If it wasn't needed three years ago, it isn't needed now.
* In our opinion it would be both irresponsible and undemocratic of planners to so
damage this area of North Leamington - especially when with a little more
imagination and effort, more appropriate brown- and white-field sites could be
made available for housing development. We certainly do not dispute the need for
more housing - especially affordable housing - but building on greenbelt land is
simply taking the lazy option. For example, the old Ford Factory site in Old
Warwick Road could have been made available for housing instead of yet another
supermarket.
* There are precious few areas of open countryside within easy reach of North
Leamington where residents can enjoy walking, cycling, jogging or simply chilling
out in relatively unspoiled surroundings. The planners owe it to the residents of
Leamington Spa, Warwick, Kenilworth and all those who appreciate and enjoy the
area.
* The Greenbelt in Old Milverton and Blackdown fulfils the five purposes of
Greenbelt set out in the National Planning Policy Framework and therefore should
remain as open Greenbelt land for ever. It
- prevents the unrestricted sprawl of Leamington to the north
- prevents the merging of Leamington and Kenilworth
- helps safeguard the countryside from encroachment
- helps preserve the setting and special character of Leamington (a historic town)
- helps urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other
urban land
In addition to these main points, we submit that building on greenbelt land, constructing
a park and ride (instead of investing in sustainable public transport and proper cycle
paths) and destroying a precious local resource (whilst at the same time contributing to
increased greenhouse gas emissions) are all in direct contradiction of Warwick District
Council's own planning guidelines* which state:
* Our preferred option is to enable access to services, minimise the need to travel
and promote sustainable forms of transport (such as walking, cycling and public
transport)
* The fragile state of our natural environment means that it is important that we
protect and enhance it to ensure that future generations can also benefit. Warwick
District possesses a natural environment that is regarded as being of a particularly
high quality.
* The Greenbelt covers a large part of Warwick District and seeks to stop urban
sprawl that would harm the open nature and rural character of the open
countryside around the towns and the urban areas of the West Midlands.
* Climate change is regarded as a major challenge and is likely to affect people in
the future... transport is the biggest contributor to carbon emissions.
We do most sincerely request that you reconsider the 2012 Preferred Options plan and in particular those parts which propose building on greenbelt land in Blackdown and Old Milverton. If planners and councillors demonstrate real leadership and courage to reject these destructive and unnecessary plans, future generations will surely thank them.