3. Key Issues affecting Warwick District

As a result of early work that we have done to prepare our Core Strategy, the Council identified sixteen priorities. These are:-

A. Maintaining a vibrant and prosperous district

1. To maintain high levels of economic growth, including the regeneration of deprived areas
2. To maintain and enhance our town centres
3. To promote sustainable tourism
4. To support rural communities

B. Protecting the District’s key assets

5. To protect and make best use of land
6. To protect and enhance green spaces and the natural environment
7. To protect and enhance the historic environment
8. To maintain and enhance our landscapes and townscapes
9. To promote high quality design
10. To protect and improve air quality

C. Securing a more sustainable district

11. To reduce the need to travel and promote the use of more sustainable travel options
12. To limit the impact of the District upon climate change, particularly by:-
     encouraging new development to reduce energy and water consumption
     promoting the use of renewable energy resources
     reducing the generation and disposal of waste.

D. Meeting the needs of the district

13. To meet the housing needs of the whole community, including providing adequate affordable housing
14. To reduce poverty, social exclusion, crime and anti-social behaviour
15. To improve the health and well-being of residents
16. To protect the amenity of local communities and protect and enhance accessibility to local services and facilities.

As a result of the consultation we undertook late last year, the public and many stakeholders made a number of comments. What follows is a brief summary of these. You can see a full report on our website at www.warwickdc.gov.uk/corestrategy.

There was broad support for the Vision Statement which we are developing. This states:-

“Warwick District: Built on strong historic foundations in the heart of England. Striving to improve further on its reputation as a great place to live, work, and visit. Where our people are proud to belong and where everyone can share in the success of our community.”

• The three top priorities (from the list of 16 listed above) were:-
  1. To meet the housing needs of the whole community, including providing adequate affordable housing
  2. To protect and enhance green spaces and the natural environment
  3. To protect and make best use of land
• 55% of people felt it would be acceptable to allocate some green field land on the edge of towns for development to meet growing needs.
• When asked what facilities would most benefit our town centres, car parking scored highest in Leamington and Warwick, but in Kenilworth the top priorities were more indoor leisure facilities, shops, offices and employment opportunities.
• The loss of local shops and services was considered the most important issue facing rural areas.
• 63% of respondents thought that the density of new housing should recognise and reflect local character. Only 6% said we should be supporting high density development.
• 61% of people felt that there should be improvements to the district’s bus network whilst only 33% felt the same about our road network.
• 92% of respondents saw energy efficient buildings as important or very important at tackling climate change. 80% of people wanted to see facilities for generating renewable energy incorporated into new development.