BASE HEADER

I would like to register my objection to the proposal in the new local plan to build 810 houses plus employment facilities on green belt land to the north of Leamington and a further 1170 houses plus employment facilities on green belt land at Blackdown. My objections are as follows:

Green belt land should not be developed when other suitable land is available and sites to the south of the town and east of the A452 have been identified.
Non green belt land has been identified which is suitable for development. This land is not going to be used for this proposal but will almost certainly be snapped up by a developer who will then probable obtain planning permission to develop the site. If the proposed amount of development takes place this will result in the over provision of land.

One of the stated aims of the planning process is to preserve the separate identity of Leamington and Kenilworth. The size of the development at Blackdown would seriously compromise this aim, particularly as the plan also proposes development to the south of Kenilworth.

Another concern was that development to the south of the town, although deemed suitable, was rejected because of the amount of cross town travel this would encourage. I dispute this. Trips into the town certainly, but with employment facilities provided in the south as well as the amount already there, I do not see why this should be the case.

Old Milverton is a distinctly different settlement and it's identity would be destroyed by the development, particularly as a relief road is planned to go right through the area.

I also dispute the council's predictions for population growth as they are based on projections from a past period of exceptional growth. The proposed amount of development, therefore, appears excessive.

As a member of the community for nearly 30 years I feel it is vital to protect our green belt land for the well being of it's inhabitants, for our wildlife, and for the greater environmental good.