BASE HEADER

I strongly object to the Local Plan in its current form. My objections are based on the following:-
* It has been clearly established that the local need is for fewer than 6000 new houses by about 2030, however the Local Plan proposed more than 12000.
* Whatever increase in the number of houses is finally established, the proposed concentration to the south of Warwick is unreasonable and untenable.
* The proposal is to develop huge swathes of green belt land, mostly used for farming, whilst ignoring large amounts of brown belt land that could easily be developed for housing.
* Local infrastructure will not support such an increase.
* The proposed concentration of new housing predominantly to the south of Warwick an Leamington is ill-conceived and impractical.
The current proposals would have a severe impact on environment and infrastructure on Warwick and Leamington.
* Demands placed on schools and hospitals would be severe and unsustainable.
* Demands on water supplies and drainage would be increased considerably, and could even exacerbate risk of flooding in some areas.
* Without considerable improvement in public transport, the proposed developments would be extensively car dependent, leading to an increase in pollution and severe congestion. Public transport in the Myton Road area is extremely poor with only an hourly service during the day, and no service at all during evenings and Sundays.
* Typically, houses in the area have at least two cars, hence there is a potential for around 24000 additional vehicles on local roads, some of which are already close to saturation, especially at peak times.
* Warwick town centre is already clogged with traffic at peak times; total gridlock could well ensue as a result of increased vehicle movements. Without any alternative routes, north-south journeys will become almost impossible.
* All north-south traffic movements will be concentrated on the two more westerly of the three available routes. These are already congested.
* The proposed concentration of new housing to the south of Warwick and Leamington will create far more serious traffic congestion than would be the case with a more even north south distribution.
* Pressure on the junctions at either end of Myton Road, already severely congested at peak times, will be increased considerably, making it extremely difficult for residents to travel.
* WDC is already failing in its obligation to reduce pollution in town centres - the proposal will only worsen the situation with serious impact on historic buildings and the population.
Any current planning applications should be put on hold until a more reasonable, sensible, and practical scheme that has a viable traffic solution is established for the area.