Issue and Options 2023

Impact on the Greenbelt We are concerned about the potential further erosion of the greenbelt around Kenilworth. We have seen considerable damage to this through the current Local Plan and HS2, and believe that further sacrifice would have an unacceptable impact on the character of the town and the amenity to local residents. It is essential that in the areas of Kenilworth that have no natural or man-made boundary (e.g. the A46), the greenbelt is preserved to prevent the continued outward spread of the town and the submerging of smaller settlements. Identification of sites and broad locations We are disappointed to see that the Issues and Options does not directly address the WDC consultants maps of six broad locations for potential development around Kenilworth nor the results of the first Call for Sites for landowners to offer land for development. Production of the broad locations has not involved the Town Council (contrary to Government guidelines) and we have concerns about the consultants methodology used which seems superficial. The Town Council requests that it is involved in all future conversations about strategic planning within and around the town, especially the opportunity the new Local Plan gives for updating the current Kenilworth Neighbourhood Plan.

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To maintain Kenilworth as a vibrant community where people can choose to live, work or learn it is essential that we have the right mix of housing. The apparent current preference for large 4/5 bedroom properties risks destroying this. If further development in Kenilworth is to take place, we would like to see it significantly weighted to create a more diverse property mix overall including more 1 and 2 bed starter properties and bungalows and truly affordable housing.

We share residents concerns about the potential increase in demand on our local infrastructure. We have not seen the required development in active travel infrastructure, health services, bus and rail services which are needed to ensure that our town remains a pleasant place to live. Currently we do not believe that this is getting sufficient focus within the consultation to give us or residents confidence.

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Housing Needs Assessment Kenilworth and Warwick District more broadly were asked to commit to a large amount of house building within the last local plan. Given the evidence of the census of 2021 it appears that the basis of these calculations was seriously flawed, especially the requirement to provide for Coventrys housing needs. We therefore find ourselves in a self-fulfilling prophecy; we are building more homes, therefore the population of our district is growing, therefore the calculation assumes we need more new homes. This logic is extremely flawed and the calculation of the future housing needs of the district must recognise this and return us to something that is more reasonable and realistic in terms of the future numbers for the district.