Testun llawn:
I would like to object most strongly to the developments proposed in your "New Local Plan"
1) The number of houses required. I believe the number of new houses that are required has been grossly over estimated. The data you have used for continued growth is out dated and fails to take in to account several new factors. Including but not exclusively, recent trend for Eastern European immigrants returning home, the increasing number of the boomerang generation (children returning to live with parents after college), the forecasted reduction in further education places following the introduction of tuition fees, the proposed new government policy of not giving under 25s housing benefit, therefore reducing the numbers of "have a baby to get a house mums".
You only have to look at Ireland at the impact of getting your numbers wrong, empty new housing estates. If there was this demand know why have we so many empty properties available to rent or buy in the district. Surely the better approach is to build fewer houses and then reassess the situation in say 7-8 years time.
2) There are in particular three areas of greenbelt land proposed to be built on, Kenilworth, Milverton, Blackdown. The government has just recently re-emphasised its protection for the Green Belt in the new NPFF. In order for the development in these areas to go ahead the council would have to produce heavy weight arguments to convince an Inspector before encroachment in to the Green belt will take place. As there need to be "exceptional circumstances" these simply aren't present. In fact the council has already published it's "2009 core strategy" which is contra to the current proposal and certainly demonstrates there are no "exceptional circumstances".
3) The north Leamington Relief Road. What is the purpose, there is simply no case for it unless you like to destroy natural beauty. As a regular user of the local road network, there are no significant delays in the area. Comparing the traffic to the likes of Birmingham where I worked for 20 years the roads run freely. There are some proposed road improvements to the A452 which would help the traffic flow at peak times in addition to the ones proposed I would say no right turn in to Hill Wootton Road. Rather than build new roads we should be first exploring cycle routes and giving bus routes priority, or indeed a new train station in Kenilworth. The only thing that will happen with the proposed new road would be to draw traffic off the Rugby road and up Old Milverton Lane and produce a "rat run". There are a number of school routes along this road is this what we really want, accidents are bound to follow and how would that make the planners feel ! All for the benefit of saving a couple of minutes off journey times madness !
4) An out of town shopping centre to the North of Leamington, would be a further dagger wound to our town centres, we should support our town centres not close them. Who wants another Curry's, Mothercare, Supermarkets etc we have more than enough already. Who would shop there anyway? as it's hardly likely to attract visits other than the immediate locale.
5) If the Relief Road was to go ahead, what routes have been considered. I can only find reference to one. Why build it there decimating the countryside, has thought been given to building it to the East of the railway and sweeping in to connect with the existing B4115 which is already connected to the A46?
I would also add that from an expense point of view I am prepared to fight this all the way, better change your minds now rather than go another 2 years down the line and be forced to do it then after considerably expense for both sides.
Further Representations (see attached):
02 August 2012
* I object to the proposed development in Old Milverton and Blackdown contained in Warwick District Council's Preferred Options for the Local plan.
* This land has great recreational value to the local community. It is enjoyed
by many runners, riders, walkers and cyclists.
* The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that the Government
attaches great importance to Greenbelts and that the fundamental aim of Greenbelt is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open.
* The Greenbelt in Old Milverton and Blackdown fulfils the 5 purposes of Greenbelt set out in the NPPF and therefore should remain as open Greenbelt land for ever. It
o Prevents the unrestricted sprawl of Leamington to the north
o Prevents the merging of Leamington and Kenilworth
o Helps safeguard the countryside from encroachment
o Helps preserve the setting and special character of Leamington (a
historic town)
o Helps urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict
and other urban land,
* There are other sites which can be developed that are not in the Greenbelt. These sites, which are mainly to the south of Leamington, were included in Warwick District Council's previous plan (the 2009 Core Strategy).
Employment opportunities and infrastructure already exists here, and this land should be used in preference to the Greenbelt.
* The NPPF states that Greenbelt boundaries should only be altered in exceptional circumstances. As there are alternative sites, there are no exceptional circumstances which outweigh the harm caused by altering the Greenbelt boundaries in Old Milverton and Blackdown and allowing development on this land.
* Please reconsider your Preferred Options.