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I am writing to let you know that I approve of the revised development strategy for Warwick Distrct as whilst providing a number of new houses for the District it removes the proposal to build 2000 houses on the North Leamington Green Belt and, through better use of Brownfield sites results in only 325 further houses on Greenfield land South of Leamington. It allows for a fairer distribution of new housing across the District. 17% of the new houses will be in the Green Belt North of Leamington at Thickthorn and Lillington. 15% of the proposed development will be in Warwickshire Villages.

It is important that most of the development is close to where there are employment opportunities (to the South of Leamington and Warwick) which enables people to live closer to their work place which creates a positive impact on the environment and quality of life which is addressed by the revised plan.

The revised plan also provides for improvements to the road network South of Leamington which will relieve the existing congestion and cater for the new development. Traffic surveys show that road improvements can cope with the planned new development and locating the majority of the development South of Leamington will reduce traffic movements, ease congestion and reduce pollution. Also the revised plan provides for the necessary schools and other infra-structure to support the new development

And finally the revised development strategy recognises that the exceptional circumstances necessary for a major development in the North Leamington Green Belt do not exist. It is vital to preserve the limited green space between Leamington and Kenilworh. Otherwise there is a real risk Leamington and Warwick will merge with the West Midlands Conurbation. Furthermore there is almost unlimited green space to the south of Leamington where the nearest town is Banbury.

I thank WDC for the production of the Revised Development Strategy.