BASE HEADER
Gwrthwynebu
Preferred Options
ID sylw: 49062
Derbyniwyd: 19/07/2012
Ymatebydd: Mr Simon Lieberman
Theplans to build on greenbelt land and I do not see evidence of any exceptional circumstances. This is essential according to the National Planning Policy Framework.
To build for more than the number of homes identified but this does not mean the greenbelt has to be built upon.
The greenbelt helps protect from urban sprawl. Devloping infrastructure on the greenbelt will also destroy more countryside.
The greenbelt is vital as a location for recreation.
My overriding objection to the proposed plan is that there are plans to build on greenbelt land and I do not see evidence of any exceptional circumstances to do this which is what is required under the NPPF. In the plans Warwick District Council states that it can include green belt development if there is "insufficient suitable and available sites outside the greenbelt". However you have identified in the plan that there is sufficient non greenbelt in the District that could accommodate the number of homes you have identified as being needed. I do not see evidence in your preferred option that would warrant losing greenbelt land. Presumably this is being proposed to spread the new development across the district but this is not a policy endorsed in the NPPF.
Your option is to build for more than the number of homes identified. If no homes were built on greenbelt at all you could still accommodate the numbers required in the plan, so why sacrifice greenbelt.
The NPPF states that greenbelt is designated to prevent urban sprawl but the preferred option will do precisely the opposite. Also the development at North Leamington/Milverton will will lead not just to urban sprawl but also to the increased risk of joining urban areas through loss of the greenbelt, which is there to stop precisely this from happening. The proposal would lead to Old Milverton being within a very small distance of the new development and Leamington spreading close to Kenilworth. With Leamington and Warwick already being one urban area preventing urban sprawl through to Kenilworth becomes even more important.
Your plan also identifies £28 million being spent on the 'northern Leamington relief road'. Not only would this completely blight Old Milverton and destroy even more countryside, it would also be unnecessary to build if the greenbelt is left. Why not spend the money on a station in Kenilworth and enable people to move between the towns by rail, not road.
There are no parks near to where I live and we use the footpath from the back of Bamburgh Grove on a regular basis to walk. The footpath is used by a huge number of people, including joggers and dog walkers. This is a fantastic open space, very well used, that will be lost forever under the proposals.
I live in Vernon Close and we have a significant amount of wildlife that may well be damaged by the development, for example we hear owls at night and there are a large number of bats that fly through our communal gardens.
I therefore am objecting to the proposal to build on the greenbelts sites as I see no justifiable planning reason to do so when non greenbelt land can accommodate the homes required.