BASE HEADER

In response to receipt of the letter from Dave Barber, Development Policy Manager, inviting comments on the Warwick District Local Plan, I would respond as follows.

1)Firstly the allotted time period of 6 week for comments before the plan is submitted to the Secretary of State is surely too short for obtaining a considered reply from the majority of citizens of Warwick, Leamington and surrounding villages, given the extent of the planned expansion and complexity of the plan which will have a profound effect on Warwick District and this part of England.

2)I moved to Warwick in 1976 and bought a new house and I now have young family who live on the fairly recent development of Hatton Park. So as an individual resident why should I have objection to new housing? In principle of course not but the problem with the plan is the shear scale of the proposed expansion which will put a huge strain on local services, hospitals, schools and transport/travel on local roads which is already at peak times a problem. A more modest expansion of some villages and making the most of available brownfield sites within Warwick and Leamington areas would be acceptable to the majority of people who already live in the area, and given that there are already approved plans for new housing under the old plan!
3)It is a matter of opinion whether the views of Cllr Les Caborn who is driving this over ambitious plan is necessary to sustain the a prosperous future for Warwick Town and District. We are not in an isolated part of UK and being close to Coventry, Birmingham and with good rail links to London! ie if Coventry, Birmingham and London continue to prosper then nearby towns such as Warwick and Rugby will also continue to prosper! Also has proper account been taken of the effect of the expansion plans for Coventry and South Birmingham.

4) I gather that a number of councillors and Chris White MP (who never seems to go public on his views when attending Westminster!) are opposed to this plan, as are most people in Warwick, including Warwick Society, Leamington Society, Bishops Tachbrook Parish Council and the recently formed Save Warwick group. Why can't our Councillors concentrate on serving the local community and resist Central Government, who are hell bent on the South Midlands absorbing people from the over populated London Area and the South East, which is now in desperate difficulties due to mass immigration. The drive from Westminster is relentless both in regard to the plans for HS2 (which is an over expensive and damaging 'white elephant') and a new 15yr plan for thousands of new homes. Warwick County and District Councils seem to be happy to support these Governments plans which involve using large areas of the south midlands green belt and change forever the the nature and environment of the historic towns of Warwick and Leamington and the surrounding villages.

Obviously I am another individual resident who has great concerns for the future of Warwick District under these new plans but feel frustrated at the whole process and objectives of local government, and of course this response will not receive a considered reply. So I am at least hoping that the aforementioned protest groups and our local MP's will force a rethink regarding the proposed plan.