Testun llawn:
The modification to allocate land north of Milverton for development is unsound because this is highly valued green belt land and you have not demonstrated the exceptional circumstances required to develop it.
The importance of the Green Belt has been emphasised by the current government: "the green belt is a legitimate constraint. It is an important part of the country's infrastructure and the Government attach the highest importance to its protection," Brandon Lewis, Hansard 15.3.16, Vol 607.
This area of land is important to our local infrastructure because:
- It is productive agricultural land, which is providing many ecological benefits. Replacing it with roads, driveways and houses is environmentally unsound, not least in relation to flood defences for the wider area.
- It provides much-loved and enjoyed recreational land for walkers, runners, cyclists, families, promoting physical health and wellbeing.
- The local road infrastructure required to accommodate these new homes would overload the narrow country lanes in the surrounding area, or require road development on a scale which would significantly alter the historic northern gateway to the town of Leamington.
- There are lower value green belt sites closer to Coventry which on the basis of planning precedent should be used in preference to the land in Old Milverton.
I would also like to reiterate the following objection made by Old Milverton parish council:
- The proposed development is to support Coventry City Council's housing need. There are sustainable sites closer to Coventry that should be used in preference to the land North of Milverton to reduce unnecessary commuting, inevitable congestion and further road construction.