BASE HEADER

I wish to object most strongly to the proposal to develop Green Belt Land north of Leamington and I detail below, my reasons for doing so.

1. There is already sufficient land available outside the greenbelt, east of the A451 (Europa Way) and south of Heathcote, towards Bishops Tachbrook. Those sites are already close to existing infrastructure and employment facilities which could also serve the proposed new housing. I believe the council has already identified this land as developable.
2. There is no justification, in my opinion, to develop the greenbelt land at Blackdown and Old Milverton, nor is it sensible to consider spending £28m on a major new relief road which would ruin the village, as well as divert resources from other much needed public investment.
3. In times of a double-dip recession, it should be a priority to save money and make more sensible use of the existing facilities. In my own neighbourhood, it is very noticeable that the housing development on the site of the previous Potterton Factory, has not been a success. More than half of the houses/appartments have never been occupied and the site has a decided air of neglect. It's so close to a natural flood plain, that I cannot understand how that project got underway in the first place.
4. Since the NPPF clearly states that one purpose of Greenbelt protection is to prevent urban sprawl, by spreading the options as the council's current proposals would do, I think rather encourages this sprawl. The land proposed for development to the north of Leamington is necessary for exercise and recreation and prevents this attractive town from losing its decided character which it would do if it were allowed to merge into Kenilworth when each town would then lose its individual identity.
5. With Britain now in a very worrying and prolonged recession, I think it unlikely that so much housing and employment facilities is required for the immediate future. Perhaps councillors should take a walk through the
centre of Leamington and make note of the increasing shop closures and other businesses closing down.

I do hope that commonsense prevails and that a sensible planning policy is offered rather than a misguided political policy which takes no account of the historical heritage of this part of England and how we should all do our utmost to protect and maintain it for future generations.