BASE HEADER

I wish to commend the new plans for housing and development.
Having made clear my objections to the plan of 2012 I find it encouraging that you have reconsidered and found that there are no exceptional circumstances to justify building in the Green Belt North of Leamington.
The new plan to build on land which by and large infills areas of the town where there is already industrial and retail development makes good sense as people can live nearer to employment opportunities and to some extent obviate the need for longer commuting journeys. Transport links are also better here with easier access to the M40 and the trains.
However, I am still very concerned that the necessary additional infrastructure is put in place as and when the houses are built. It is vital that sufficient schools, medical centres, community and sports facilities are put in to the plans at an early stage and not added in later( as in the bad example of Warwick Gates)
Transport issues also have to be dealt with in the early planning stages; to avoid congestion it will be essential to factor in cycling and pedestrian routes of a high standard, built to National guidelines. These should provide ways of getting to schools, employment, the town centre and railway station and not just for leisure cycling/walking. Bus routes should also be a top priority. All these measures would help to reduce car travel which is vital if the towns are not to be swamped with traffic and multi -storey car parks.
I commend the long term plan to have a new country park to the South of Leamington.
I am still concerned that there is to be consultation with Coventry City Council on their housing plans. It is essential that the proposed Gateway development near Baginton and the new developments at Stoneleigh Park do not result in a new threat to the Greenbelt countryside North of Leamington. We must keep Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth as separate towns and not allow them to be swallowed up in Coventry's overspill.
I recognise the very great difficulties the council has in planning for the major expansion required by the government, and feel that you have come up with a plan which could work if the points made above are taken into account.