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We are writing to object to Warwick District Council's proposal to build on the green belt in their local plan.

There are other options on non green belt land in the district to the South and East of Leamington that should be exhausted before green belt land is used. Green belt should only be used in exceptional circumstances, which clearly this is not because of the other alternatives. The green belt land to the North of Leamington is particularly precious, as it keeps the division between Leamington and Kenilworth and stops the area turning into one big urban sprawl, and the local towns losing their identity.

In the local papers the independent Councillor for Whitnash, Bernard Kirton has said his area South of Leamington had already had enough development and that non-green belt areas earmarked on previous local plans should not be used, he somehow has managed to influence other Councillors including the Conservative Mike Doody, who has added his voice, with the scaremongering statement that "if people did not accept this plan, developers would build wherever they choose". Last time we checked the elected government was running our country not developers!

Our local Councillors John Hammon and Norman Pratt have been contacted and have pledged to support us in our opposition to building on the green belt. We have also spoken with many of our neighbours and people in our area and are yet to find one person in favour of building in the green belt area North of Leamington.

We would strongly urge the District Council to rethink their plan, before it costs the local taxpayers a lot of money in unnecessary legal fees should the proposed plan go forward.