Q-B8.1: Do you agree that the plan should include a policy avoiding development on the best and most versatile agricultural land, unless it can be demonstrated that the harm to agricultural land is clearly outweighed by the benefit of development?
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This should be looked at on a case by case basis. The very best agricultural land should be protected for food production. However some applicants don’t have alternative sites and the development in question would on net be beneficially. Agriculture is a very capital intense industry and margins are tight. A farm’s overall productivity may increase if a small part of it is developed which allows for the farm’s resilience and productive capacity to is increased. There is the secondary benefit in that the income from new development could allow for land to be taken out of production and more money to be spent on environmental improvement. Rural occupants are the best placed to maintain and invest in the countryside and must be given development priority. These environmental improvements across the whole of South Warwickshire require local staff and money to be invested. The Council cannot silo its objectives or its policies. There needs to be a plentiful supply of rural houses and other business that support one another. Without this base, this interlocking base many of the Council’s objectives will not be me.
High grade land should be reserved for food production as this reduces food miles and therefore has a positive impact on the environment. High grade land should not be used for building or solar farms.
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Food security and biodiversity should take preference to development taking good agricutural land (grades 1 - 3)out of production. Climate change and the zero emissions effect of a new development should then come next in the line of priorities with ecomonic wellbeing coming last.
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Where land is within or adjacent to conservation areas
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Green locations around urban areas should be reinforced and prioritised to mitigate the negative consequences of all the developments.
If an area is high quality agricultural land, its continuance as such should be prioritised over development. Government policy is clear that food production and farming contributes to sustainable development. Areas B12 and B13 are high quality agricultural land and should be retained and valued as such. The assumption that unrestricted access to green space can benefit people and wildlife simultaneously is naive. A clear distinction should be made between green space for human benefit and green space for biodiversity purposes with low levels of human access such as farmland and wildlife refuges/corridors.
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The best and most versatile land should never be harmed by development, no matter what the perceived short-term benefit.
The best and most versatile agricultural land should never be used for or harmed by development, no matter what the short-term benefit is perceived to be.
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If an area is high quality agricultural land it would be short sighted to build in these locations. It is clear that food security is a government policy and crucial to sustainable development in the long term. Areas B12 and B13 are high quality agricultural land and should be retained and valued as such.
The farmland in the North Leamington Green Belt is high quality agricultural land and makes an important contribution to sustainability and food security. Government pronouncements have made it clear that farming and food production make an important contribution to sustainable development. The highest concentration of ALC Grade 2 land around Leamington and Warwick is to the north and east of Leamington. The land making up these sites is, therefore, considered to be a scarce resource of high value for sustainable food production. The Government seeks to protect against the loss of such land from non-agricultural development. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that “Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, local planning authorities should seek to use areas of poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality”. This policy which will continue to grow in significance as the increasing cost of imported wheat and grain drives up domestic food production needs.
If an area is high quality agricultural land, its continuance as such should be prioritised over development. Food production and farming contributes to sustainable development. Areas B12 and B13 are high quality agricultural land and must be retained. Recent Government policy has stated that farming and food production make an important contribution to sustainable development. The highest concentration of ALC Grade 2 land around Leamington Spa and Warwick is to the north and east of Leamington Spa. The land making up these sites is, therefore, considered to be a scarce resource of high value for sustainable food production. The Government seeks to protect against the loss of such land from non-agricultural development. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that “Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, local planning authorities should seek to use areas of poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality”; a policy which will continue to grow in significance as the increasing cost of imported wheat and grain drives up domestic food production needs.
The farmland is high quality agricultural land and makes an important contribution to sustainability and security of food supply. The highest concentration of ALC Grade 2 land around Leamington Spa and Warwick is to the north and east of Leamington Spa. The land making up these sites is therefore considered to be a scarce resource of high value for sustainable food production. The Government seeks to protect against the loss of such land from non agricultural development. A clear Dustin should be made between green space for human be and green space for biodiversity purwith low levels of human access such as farmland and wildlife refuges/corridors.
Green Belt areas and areas of National Beauty / importance should be prioritised as areas untouched by development
Support dual use projects eg. animal grazing in orchards.
No answer given
The farmland is high quality agricultural land and makes an important contribution to sustainability and security of food supply. Recent Government policy has stated that farming and food production make an important contribution to sustainable development. The highest concentration of ALC Grade 2 land around Leamington Spa and Warwick is to the north and east of Leamington Spa. The land making up these sites is, therefore, considered to be a scarce resource of high value for sustainable food production. The Government seeks to protect against the loss of such land from non-agricultural development. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that “Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, local planning authorities should seek to use areas of poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality”; a policy which will continue to grow in significance as the increasing cost of imported wheat and grain drives up domestic food production needs.
The Greenbelt should be protected at all costs.
No answer given
Recent Government policy has stated that farming and food production make an important contribution to sustainable development. The highest concentration of ALC Grade 2 land around Leamington Spa and Warwick is to the north and east of Leamington Spa. The land making up these sites is, therefore, considered to be a scarce resource of high value for sustainable food production. The Government seeks to protect against the loss of such land from non-agricultural development. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that “Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, local planning authorities should seek to use areas of poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality”; a policy which will continue to grow in significance as the increasing cost of imported wheat and grain drives up domestic food production needs.
As well as agricultural value, and the need for retention of self sustainability of food production, the value of land for public access must be recognised, for exercise, and mental health, as well as for wildlife habitats, and ecological significance. In addition, groundwater resources and surface water drainage both rely on retention from open land which is lost when built development occurs. These issues become increasingly significant with regard to climate change and increasing demand from greater population.
No answer given
The farmland North of Leamington is high quality agricultural land and makes an important contribution to sustainability and security of food supply. Recent Government policy has stated that farming and food production make an important contribution to sustainable development. The highest concentration of ALC Grade 2 land around Leamington Spa and Warwick is to the north and east of Leamington Spa. The land making up these sites is, therefore, considered to be a scarce resource of high value for sustainable food production. The Government seeks to protect against the loss of such land from non-agricultural development. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that “Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, local planning authorities should seek to use areas of poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality”; a policy which will continue to grow in significance as the increasing cost of imported wheat and grain drives up domestic food production needs. If an area is high quality agricultural land, its continuance as such should be prioritised over development. Government policy is clear that food production and farming contributes to sustainable development, Areas B1.2 and B1.3 are high quality agricultural land and should be retained (and valued) as such. The assumption that unrestricted access to greenspace can benefit people and wildlife simultaneously is naive. A clear distinction should be made between greenspace for human benefit and greenspace for biodiversity purposes with low levels of human access such as farmland and wildlife refuges/corridors.