Testun llawn:
Please note my objections to the stated "Preferred Options" for the new Local Plan. How can the options be considered "preferred" when the document has only just gone out for public consultation?
I am extremely concerned that the options include development in the green belt land and that the Council have not demonstrated the "exceptional circumstances" required by national guidelines to permit such development.
The projected growth figures are based on modelling from the past. This has not been, or can ever be, a study in the true scientific sense. In the end it is largely a matter of opinion and herein lies an opportunity to re-work the figures. This is crucial because the whole plan could be based on flawed reasoning and methodology.
The Council appears to be "playing safe" and too mindful of the potential for challenge from those with vested interests. Why, for example, has the Council gone for the higher option when a lower option is available.
Providing new calculations and hence lower projected growth figures are at least as soundly based as the current study then there cannot be any greater fear of rejection at Ministry level. Objections to the preferred options are unlikely to be assuaged by anything less.
In the "Strategic Plan" which was abandoned due to the Government change and the changing requirements of the new Government, your Council were able to find land for such development without incursion into green belt land. Can you demonstrate why, despite the fact that it is deemed that fewer homes would be required in this new Local Plan, you now wish to build nearly 2,000 homes in the green belt and, in addition, provide employment opportunities and, possibly, a new major relief road.
Not enough credence has been placed on the fact that the green belt land required in North Leamington is highly valuable agricultural land and whilst, as I understand it, farm land was never included in the original Green Belt policy it should be recognised that the world has changed considerably and when taking into account climate change and the very real issue of a worldwide food shortage then this land should be protected for agricultural use. In addition to the land required for the proposed development, additional land would also be required for infrastructure thus further eroding this land, and indeed blight the remaining agricultural land.
As Developers have been involved in the drawing up of the new Local Plan their views will obviously be biased. The Council will undoubtedly have considered "trade-offs" with such developers in order to fulfil the requirements of the plan if it is to be approved and there is no doubt that developers will be much more interested in this highly desirable green belt land.
As we are living in a democratic country then democracy should be seen to be working and the local residents should be at the forefront of any decisions relating to this new Local Plan.
In conclusion, these plans are seriously flawed and I strongly object to the desecration of one of England's most beautiful areas. The Government National Policy Planning Framework should put powers to protect the local countryside and green spaces, which are so valuable and fast disappearing, in the hands of the local people and I urge Warwick District Council to listen to local residents who are united in their objection to the Council's "Preferred Options" in this new Local Plan.