Testun llawn:
ALTERNATIVE TO THE LOCAL PLAN
Thank you for the reply on 'Alternative to the Local Plan', and your interest.
Without a clearly defined boundary of the Warwick District on a map that shows enough detail to identify every village and hamlet I had to take a guess at some of the locations. I am sure I may have missed a few as well.
My objective in this idea was to look for alternative plans to achieve the number of houses as is now catered for in the Local Plan.
I am not in a position to identify actual land sites as you may be aware. Please understand there must be small sites around the present housing within the places in my list that have the potential to build upon. Initially invited from landowners to sell plots. It would favour small developers and builders instead of the large developers who are currently only interested in mass housing developments. The impact on each place would be minimal when spread over the period to 2029. In contrast to the Local Plan It is kind on the community, and its merit is that everyone is taking a share.
It only takes a bit of thinking to brainstorm variations on this suggestion. Another plan I like is taking the one above but exclude all towns and their suburbs. For instance where I live we have had too many large scale building development, including Warwick Gates. This area is that now under the threat of the Local Plan. It urgently needs relief from further increases in population. This argument can be applied to all towns in the Warwick District.
Another suggestion is to plan for one, two or three sites that are not in the Local Plan recommendation. These may be in Green Belt but the reason would be to avoid damaging the communities that are opposing the Local Plan. This may be on agricultural land but most if not all of the 75% area seems to be on land that is used for agriculture, so that is not a valid reason against.
If compulsory purchase is needed then it is no worse than what is being planned for HS2.
The question of alternative sites is a big issue and I suggest that WDC could start consultation and invite comment from groups and councils.
I do not know how WDC can deal with the batch of large applications now being received, but if they are approved it will make nonsense of the Local Plan and any alternatives.
Perhaps WDC could speak with our MP, and seek advice on what can be done to hold these in abeyance pending an acceptable Local Plan?
As an observation I wonder of all those in favour of the Local Plan, and have been engaged in its presentation, actually live in the area that will have 75% of all the houses?
It has been put to WDC planners during the Local Plan build up that to place 75% of all projected housing requirements into the concentrated area south of Leamington and Warwick is totally unacceptable. It is unjust. It is unfair. It is recommended because WDC are favouring Landowners and Developers, all of whom do not live in this area. It is the worst planning decision one could wish upon anyone.
The result would be destruction of a community still recovering from the effects of Warwick Gates.
There is a simple answer to providing sites for however many houses are needed eventually. It is to divide the total houses by as many small sites as possible.
This way there is no major impact on any one area. People are happier living in small communities and do not lose their identities.
Attached is a list of possible sites within Warwick District that could accept a share of the total homes needed. If the total is eventually established by commons sense rather than 'think of a number' as now, it would make little difference to each small community.
Of 89 sites identified this would only require 71 homes on each site, and that to provide housing stock up to 2029.
A second column is shown where towns with their suburbs are 'let off' since they have already suffered major growth. This only increases the numbers for the small communities to 77 homes up to the year 2029.
There are many benefits including work for local builders and suppliers of material; No congestion; No major road works required; Little effect on local services, schools and hospitals.
I believe this would receive widespread support instead of the massive protest against the present condemned Local Plan.
Unfortunately the landowners of the South of Leamington sites, and the developers who do not live here would not benefit. The net outcome would be happy communities and a few losers.
I appreciate that some sites may not be totally suitable and some adjustment to allocations may be possible but it is an idea that needs consideration.
WDC LOCAL PLAN ON FACEBOOK
Dear Mr Elliot I agree with your comment about Facebook. Since I alerted you, there is now the 'Myton Action Group' who are also using Facebook. The feedback and comments are all saying the same about the Local Plan. Everyone is clearly very much against.
Regarding the consultation periods. There is no confusion. It is very clear. The Local Plan ends at the end of July.. The planning applications will be considered before the Local Plan.
The applications will be considered before the end of July and therefore could if approved circumvent the Local Plan. If the Local Plan is to be taken seriously then it must be approved first, not last.
Since alternative plans to satisfy housing needs are not included in the Plan then it is facilitating the planning applications.
On the other hand, if alternative plans were studied such as I have suggested, then this would have to be considered when examining current planning applications. Clearly in those circumstances they would not fit in with the Local Plan. I have replied to you on alternatives in a separate e-mail.
I hope you will see the logic of the above.
May I suggest that you gentlemen look at the growing unrest on Facebook. You can find this under 'Groups' - Whitnash Residents against Woodside Farm Development
Also under 'Groups' - Whitnash, Heathcote & Leamington residents against the Woodside Against the Local Plan
It is interesting to note that officials have been forced to resign over less than what is happening to the community under the guise of the Local Plan.
This has only just started and is growing. It is clear that the majority are not aware of the full impact of the Local Plan and only know about their own notifications that are now coming through in the post.
With only 2 weeks to go, how do you expect the community to believe they have been 'consulted'. The way this is developing it should be 'insulted'. What a mess!