We would generally support Scenario 1, as we believe that development and investment should be concentrated on the regeneration of the major urban centres of the region. Development in Warwick district should be minimised to allow this to happen.

Regrettably, scenario 3 totally ignores previous objections to the huge number of houses needed to accommodate such an unrealistic population increase. Indeed, when applied to the period of the Core Strategy, the figure would equate to over 16,000 new homes and well in excess of the proposals in the Core Strategy.

A tenet of the local plan, is a sustainable development strategy, with new development built so as not to threaten the existing high quality built and natural environments. 12,000 new houses will impact negatively on the natural environment because of the need to build on green field sites and the loss of the green space areas, which distinguish the towns of Kenilworth, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick, Whitnash and other areas of the District, would be the consequence. Such large scale development would result in the bulk of new housing being located in close proximity to existing housing and create continuous urban sprawl.

The Town Council would therefore wish to support Scenario 1, with an expectation that the District Council would direct growth to brown field land, until such time as the District Council:
* Clearly identifies realistic population growth
* Provides an appraisal of housing and employment level requirements
* Identifies the infrastructure necessary to support growth
* Allocates development to sites which have the necessary infrastructure to support development and which have local support.

In every circumstance Scenario 3 should be rejected because it is based upon unrealistic population growth and Scenario 2 should not be contemplated, less the District Council demonstrate that the above requirements are met.

Within Scenario 1, the Council should explore all means to bring forward new homes which are affordable to Warwick residents rather than migrants from the West Midlands. The whole direction of the Local Plan should be to meet local needs.

I am in favour of Scenario One, with development for housing being met by a combination of: District Wide small scale development.

Job growth centred on an Enterprise Zone at Coventry Airport will be good for the District but will require better transport links if sustainability criteria is to be met and large scale housing will be required in the north of the District rather than south of Warwick. Before demolishing existing office and retail space perhaps a comprehensive effort should be made to market it and seek reuse via a centralised agency to list and sell. Centralised services such as secretarial support, car parking and meeting rooms could be established and charged on a usage basis and furnished office suites provided on rolling two month contracts.

It is important to preserve the unique identity of Warwick as a small market town, full of historic buildings, small shops, public gardens. Warwick town centre is already weathering the recession better than most high streets because of the diversity of small independant shops and vibrancy of our market. Should further on existing independant book sellers, art shops and and antique dealers to foster niche markets. Larger scale development would be detrimental to the character of the town centre and better considered on one of the retail or business parks with more space and better infrastructure. Empty retail units should be made available to community groups for nominal rent or used to display items from the Warwickshire museum services. There is an opportunity to reuse the historic court complex in Warwick into a themed court visitor attraction and conference venue. There is sufficient visitor accomodation in the town centre and recent increases in capacity may cause small operators to go bust. Restaurants and cafes have proved very successful in warwick and should be encouraged - Warwick could emulate Ludlow and become a food town by combining quality dining with independent retailers and local produce. Visitors to the Castle and racecourse should be encouraged to visit the town centre via better signage, pedestrian access and voucher schemes. Events should be held to mark the 1100 anniversary of the founding of Warwick such as seeking city status and a year long festival.

I wish to state that I believe WDC should pursue a "minimum development" strategy.

The local area is subject to stress caused by excessive development placing undue burdens on the road network and reducing the quality of life.

There is no need to encourage employment or new housing, both create a vicious spiral which leads to over development and diminishes the quality of the existing environment.

Other areas may wish to encourage development (such as Birmingham and Coventry) but WDC should not join that process.

A "minimum development" strategy will:

1. Preserve the green belt and other open areas.

2. Avoid the need to create more housing and office parks.

3. Eliminate the need to extract more gravel.

4. Allow the local administration to be reduced in scale and cost.

5. Avoid the need to create a larger road system.

6. Reduce the pressure on local hospitals, care homes, fire service and schools.

Of the three scenarios presented in the consultation document, it is considered that only the scale of development envisaged in Scenario 3 would begin to address the evidenced need for housing growth and development in the district. It is considered that Scenarios 1 and 2 are discordant features within the Consultation document, at odds with the Government‟s Plan for Growth and its „call to action on growth‟, and the thrust of up to date and emerging planning policy (PPS3, PPS4, NPPF).

It is pointed out that in the Plan for Growth and recent ministerial statements the Government is committed to reforming the planning system to ensure it does everything it can to support growth and rebuild the economy. Local authorities should be proactive in driving and supporting growth and identify the housing, business and other development needs of the area. Local authorities should also plan positively for new development and prepare local plans with sufficient flexibility to respond to rapid shifts in demand or other economic changes. The plan as presented in the consultation document would not acheive this.

Of the three scenarios presented in the consultation document, it is considered that only the scale of development envisaged in Scenario 3 would begin to address the evidenced need for housing growth and development in the district. It is considered that Scenarios 1 and 2 are discordant features within the Consultation document, at odds with the Government‟s Plan for Growth and its „call to action on growth‟, and the thrust of up to date and emerging planning policy (PPS3, PPS4, NPPF).

It is pointed out that in the Plan for Growth and recent ministerial statements the Government is committed to reforming the planning system to ensure it does everything it can to support growth and rebuild the economy. Local authorities should be proactive in driving and supporting growth and identify the housing, business and other development needs of the area. Local authorities should also plan positively for new development and prepare local plans with sufficient flexibility to respond to rapid shifts in demand or other economic changes. The plan as presented in the consultation document would not acheive this.

Of the three scenarios presented in the consultation document, it is considered that only the scale of development envisaged in Scenario 3 would begin to address the evidenced need for housing growth and development in the district. It is considered that Scenarios 1 and 2 are discordant features within the Consultation document, at odds with the Government‟s Plan for Growth and its „call to action on growth‟, and the thrust of up to date and emerging planning policy (PPS3, PPS4, NPPF).

It is pointed out that in the Plan for Growth and recent ministerial statements the Government is committed to reforming the planning system to ensure it does everything it can to support growth and rebuild the economy. Local authorities should be proactive in driving and supporting growth and identify the housing, business and other development needs of the area. Local authorities should also plan positively for new development and prepare local plans with sufficient flexibility to respond to rapid shifts in demand or other economic changes. The plan as presented in the consultation document would not acheive this.

The City Council generally supports a medium level of growth as proposed by Option Two, as this is in line with the RSS Phase Two submission which includes a reasonable allowance for migration from Birmingham to Warwickshire.

Option one providing a localised need could result in an increase in housing need and pressure for growth in Birmingham beyond its capacity on brownfield sites.

Option three could lead to out-migration from the City

5. Health & Wellbeing

From the Parish Plan survey: Residents regard health & wellbeing as important, with a third of leisure journeys involving walking or cycling; footpaths are rated as important by two thirds, cycleways by nearly hald and bridleways a third. Greatest demand for activities in the village was various forms of keeping fit (1 in 5 respondents). Two thirds of respondents would like a doctor's surgery in Hatton Park.

6. Road Congestion & Air Pollution

An important issue for the parish which relies almost exlusively on the busy A4177. Just over hald of respondents consider the volume of traffic or the dangerous junctions on this road to be a problem.

Most households depend on cars, three quarters for work and half for school, shopping and leisure. A third use buses for school, but less than a tenth for shopping trips and 5% for work and leisure journeys. Half of the journeys made by bus are to Warwick and a third to Leamington. Overall this travel pattern is not conducive to sustainable development nor helpful in combating climate change.

Hatton has very few public facilities. the Ferncumbe School at Hatton Green is thriving and very popular, but probably has limited scope for expansion. There are village halls at Hatton and Hatton Park, a very small shop at Hatton Park and all weather sports area and children's playground at Hatton Park. the shop has almost closed on at least one occasion and the Hatton Park Village Hall has struggled to find volunteers to run it.

Scenario 1 with its low levels of growth would most closely match the views of Hatton residents and be most appropriate for this Parish.

The uncertain future of the economy is an issue of concern to everyone in the Parish.

Residents would wish to see economically strong, vibrant and attractive town centres given that they rely on them for many of their needs and services.

The evidence within the technical paper supports Scenario 3.

Object to scenarios 1 and 2 as they are not based on sound evidence.

The timescale of the Plan should be from 2013 to 2028, or possibly even 2013.

The Plan should take into account the influence of travel to work links with adjoining Districts, in particular, Coventry.

The only sound Scenario for Growth is Scenario 3. Scenario 1 is based on recent trends and could deliver no development. Scenario 2 is purely notional, being a mid-point between Scenarios 2 and 3. Therefore Scenario 3 is supported.