Q-W4: Please add any comments you wish to make about a healthy, safe and inclusive South Warwickshire
Easy access to green open space is essential for everyone's well-being.
We need to improve and maintain these valuable spaces
In the list of types of open space, W4 does not mention public rights of way through the countryside. These are a valued feature of the Green Belt land in the North of Leamington.
The local planning authority should be the primary adoptee so that the cost of management and maintenance of public open spaces is underwritten and greater attention is paid to the planning and delivery of this space.
Open space is essential for healthy living. Green areas need to have connected wild areas to enable wild life to thrive. Wild life is essential to the survival of humanity. Lose it at our peril.
argument 2 In its list of open space, section W4 does not mention public rights of way through the countryside. These are valued features of greenbelt land north of Leamington Spa, as outlined in reasons in argument 2 above. In addition, open space and access are essential to support a healthy population. A non-healthy population is a diminution of the economy, and an additional burden on the health services.
Greenbelt land should be protected and not subjected to any large scale development or altering of the existing boundaries
In its list of types of open space, section W4 does not mention public rights of way through the countryside. These are a valued feature of the Green Belt land north of Leamington Spa. In surveys residents say that the open Green Belt location is the thing they value most about living in the area, with benefits for both physical and mental health. It is easily accessible on foot from North Leamington so many people can access the public rights of way across the fields. Use of these footpaths increased markedly during lockdown and has continued since. During lockdown walkers raised over £2,500 for a charity chosen by the farmer to acknowledge the work done in maintaining the access to the countryside. The high quality agricultural land is now farmed by a single modern, established farming business. The combination of this working farm, with its wide range of crops and modern farming equipment working the fields, together with the Victorian farming village at Old Milverton is a significant recreational and educational asset for the population at large. Strategic Objective 5 seeks to “protect what already exists” however each one of the five spatial growth options would remove this highly valued local resource forever.
There should be a clear definition of the difference between green-space and open countryside. Public access for the sake of recreation and relaxation, especially informally does not promote wildlife protection and the increase of biodiversity. Both are essential for continued health and environmental protection, but they are not simply unterchangeable.
The Canal & River Trust considers that the health and wellbeing of local communities is an important consideration, and new development should always be required to consider how it can help to maximise opportunities for people to pursue healthier and more active lifestyles. We believe that the canal network can play a valuable role in encouraging people to be more active. Within South Warwickshire we operate 80km of canals, comprising parts of the North Stratford, South Stratford, Oxford and Grand Union Canals. Canals offer a real opportunity for supporting and promoting healthier lifestyles and helping to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of local communities by encouraging people to be more active, whether through leisure and recreation (including activities such as canoeing as well as walking or cycling) or offering a more active travelling option that is a sustainable alternative to using private motor cars to access services and facilities. Canals provide a free-to-use resource that can benefit the whole community and it is important that nearby new development seeks to maximise the opportunities presented by them.
The Green Belt around North Leamington is a valued open space. In surveys residents say that the open Green Belt location is the thing they value most about living in the area, with benefits for both physical and mental health. It is easily accessible on foot from North Leamington so many people can access the public rights of way across the fields. Use of these footpaths increased markedly during lockdown and these high levels of use continue today. The agricultural land continues to provide rural employment and undergo diversification of farming techniques. Its continued use for modern arable, grazing and wildlife refuge helps preserve the characteristics of the rural Victorian village of Old Milverton enjoyed by so many. The recreational, educational and health benefits to those in surrounding urban and suburban areas are important now more than ever.
Issue W1 refers to the importance of managing the impact of pollution from new development. It also specifically refers to water pollution which we welcome. For the purpose of structuring any future policies in the Plan, it may be appropriate to cross-reference the importance that SuDS can play in controlling and improving water pollution through the treatment of surface water runoff before discharging to the wider environment.
Include a policy to reflect NPPF Policy on well-being and sustainable development, to “meet needs of present and future generations; and by fostering well-designed, beautiful and safe places, with accessible services and open spaces that reflect current and future needs and support communities’ health, social and cultural well-being” No further comments.
Initiatives on Warwick Gates to provide public areas such as gazebos and outdoor gyms had the unintended effect of concentrating anti-social behaviour and drug use in these areas. Developers should consider how these spaces might be used rather than their aesthetics.
Public footpaths/rights of way run through out the green belt and are a major, well used resource of the area contributing to health and welfare beyond measure. Use of the North Leamington outdoor spaces increased during lockdown considerably and remains extremely popular. In surveys residents say that the open Green Belt location is the thing they value most about living in the area, with benefits for both physical and mental health. It is easily accessible on foot from North Leamington so many people can access the public rights of way across the fields. Use of these footpaths increased markedly during lockdown and these high levels of use continue today. The agricultural land continues to provide rural employment and undergo diversification of farming techniques. Its continued use for modern arable, grazing and wildlife refuge helps preserve the characteristics of the rural Victorian village of Old Milverton enjoyed by so many. The recreational, educational and health benefits to those in surrounding urban and suburban areas are important now more than ever.
In its list of types of open space, section W4 does not mention public rights of way through the countryside. These are a valued feature of the Green Belt land north of Leamington Spa. In surveys residents say that the open Green Belt location is the thing they value most about living in the area, with benefits for both physical and mental health. It is easily accessible on foot from North Leamington so many people can access the public rights of way across the fields. Use of these footpaths increased markedly during lockdown and has continued since. During lockdown walkers raised over £2,500 for a charity chosen by the farmer to acknowledge the work done in maintaining the access to the countryside. The high quality agricultural land is now farmed by a single modern, established farming business. The combination of this working farm, with its wide range of crops and modern farming equipment working the fields, together with the Victorian farming village at Old Milverton is a significant recreational and educational asset for the population at large. Strategic Objective 5 seeks to “protect what already exists” however each one of the five spatial growth options would remove this highly valued local resource forever.
continue current policies
In Wootton Wawen currently here is only the children's playground which is attached to the school and only accessable during school hours adn ony for the school pupils. A future proposal with the offer of sites, includes the provision of a playground accessible 365 days of the year and also considers scating park, climbing wall and walking and accessible routes through green belt and parkland.
Most of the plan overall is contrary to health on several aspects e.g. stress of anticipating aspects of the plan (building etc), loss of countryside, and if worse happens the noise and disruption from ongoing building work. this can take years and the impact on well being should not be underestimated. The requirement on developers for Public Open Space actually means play areas, which are not conducive to well being for those without families. Noise is a real pollutant, and yet places are getting noisier and noisier. Traffic is huge part, but so are so called leisure activities such as light aircraft, shooting (bothof which are prevalent where Ilive and make my life a misery).
Open spaces within new developments must be safeguarded in policy and designated as Local Green Spaces. Better quality play equipment must be required in new play grounds. Better standards must be set for new sports pitches in new development. Developers must provide pitches that are playable by teams and not full of rubble, uneven and with sub standard finishes. It’s one thing making the spaces available, but they must be up to an acceptable standard to be usable.
The Local Planning Authority should be prepared to adopt POS. All costs for developing and transferring POS to public ownership should be detailed during the planning application process.
Open spaces are vital to people's wellbeing. There should be a greater emphasis on the planning an delivering of them in developments and a protection for those open spaces that already in communities. Allotments should be protected where they exist and space found for allotments if none exist or more are required. Generally there is a lack of sports spaces and more need to be provided within communities but those communities require help to do this, sometimes financial help.
This should include the footpaths/public rights of way through green belt land. which are a valued existing resource and which could be further used.
Please do not build anything on our green belt/green spaces. This development must stop. We must start protecting our landscape and habitats. Surely this needs revisiting.
Argument 2. The Green Belt around North Leamington is a valued open space. In surveys residents say that the open Green Belt location is the thing they value most about living in the area, with benefits for both physical and mental health. It is easily accessible on foot from North Leamington so many people can access the public rights of way across the fields. Use of these footpaths increased markedly during lockdown and these high levels of use continue today. The agricultural land continues to provide rural employment and undergo diversification of farming techniques. Its continued use for modern arable, grazing and wildlife refuge helps preserve the characteristics of the rural Victorian village of Old Milverton enjoyed by so many. The recreational, educational and health benefits to those in surrounding urban and suburban areas are important now more than ever. In its list of types of open space, section W4 does not mention public rights of way through the countryside. Yet, these are a valued feature of the green belt land north of leamington spa as described previously in issue S10.
The Green Belt around North Leamington is a valued open space. In surveys residents say that the open Green Belt location is the thing they value most about living in the area, with benefits for both physical and mental health. It is easily accessible on foot from North Leamington so many people can access the public rights of way across the fields. Use of these footpaths increased markedly during lockdown and these high levels of use continue today. The agricultural land continues to provide rural employment and undergo diversification of farming techniques. Its continued use for modern arable, grazing and wildlife refuge helps preserve the characteristics of the rural Victorian village of Old Milverton enjoyed by so many. The recreational, educational and health benefits to those in surrounding urban and suburban areas are important now more than ever. If houses are built on the farmland where are the countryside footpaths?
Why does this section not recognise the valuable and important rights of way and public footpaths to the north of leamington in the green belt. Having access locally to an urban location to open countryside has significant benefits to residents
In the list of types of open space, section W4 does not mention public rights of way through the countryside. Yet these are a valued feature of the Green Belt land north of Leamington Spa, for the following reasons. The Green Belt around North Leamington is a valued open space. In surveys residents say that the open Green Belt location is the thing they value most about living in the area, with benefits for both physical and mental health. It is easily accessible on foot from North Leamington so many people can access the public rights of way across the fields. Use of these footpaths increased markedly during lockdown and these high levels of use continue today. The agricultural land continues to provide rural employment and undergo diversification of farming techniques. Its continued use for modern arable, grazing and wildlife refuge helps preserve the characteristics of the rural Victorian village of Old Milverton enjoyed by so many. The recreational, educational and health benefits to those in surrounding urban and suburban areas are important now more than ever.
There are numerous footpaths across the Kenilworth South location including Millennium Way which connects Warwick to Kenilworth Castle, as well as other footpaths connecting Rouncil Lane to Rounds Hill and across to the Warwickshire, Leek Wootton, Hatton and further. These footpaths are frequented daily by a multitude of dog walkers, runners, cyclists, ramblers and families, who benefit immensely from the landscape character. Many of these are the residents signing this consultation response who use the footpaths each day, often twice a day. It is also used by Kenilworth School for recreational trips, for Duke of Edinburgh participants and for the Scouts and Guides for whom the footpaths are safe for children to use in summer for independent hikes. This makes the area what it is. Their extensive use of the footpaths significantly contributes to the mental and physical health and wellbeing of the local community and give the opportunity for everyone to gain direct access to the neighbouring countryside. Furthermore, local residents have purposely chosen to live in this peaceful location to reap the benefits of doing so on mental health and wellbeing, which are very far reaching. Development in this area would have a negative impact on the recreational use of the footpaths and the quality of historical and ancient landscape character.
The Green Belt around North Leamington is a valued open space, and easily accessible on foot from North Leamington. In surveys residents say that the open Green Belt location is the thing they value most about living in the area, with benefits for both physical and mental health. During Lockdown the use of these public footpaths and permissive rights increased hugely, and these high levels of use still continue. The recreational, educational and health benefits to those in surrounding urban and suburban areas are important now more than ever.