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?
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. Argument
The land in Old Milverton is high quality agricultural land, and as such necessary to support the the government policy of local sustainable food production. It should be prioritised. There should be a clear distinction between human access to greenspace for recreational purposes, and limited human access to greenspace to support biodiversity.
Organic farming
I think that the most versatile agricultural land 1, 2, 3a should NEVER be built on in ANY circumstances. How are we to feed ourselves as a nation if we build on the best yielding land? Food security is even more important that ever.
Land graded 1, 2 and 3a should NEVER be built on in any circumstances if we are to have food security. How can we feed ourselves if we lose all the most productive agricultural land? 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. If an area I 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.
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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.
Areas of high quality agricultural land should be prioritised to remain as such. Government policy is clear that food production and farming contribute 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 not valid. A clear distinction is needed between green space for human benefit and green space for biodiversity purposes with low levels of human access, such as farmland and wildlife refuges or corridors. Unrestricted access leads to too many people and that always leads to damage to wildlife and biodiversity.
Areas B12 and B13 are high quality agricultural land and should be retained and valued as such. There is an assumption that unrestricted access to green spaces can benefit people and wildlife simultaneously. This is not the case. Humans always interfere with biodiversity. Unrestricted access will lead to too much human interaction and that will risk damage to biodiversity. Organisations such as the National Trust are always careful to direct people on to clear paths to protect other areas from human interaction. Unrestricted access is not appropriate. A clear distinction should be made between green spaces for human benefit and that for biodiversity purposes such as farm land and refuges/corridors. The latter should be restricted to low levels of human access. A lot of farmland cannot be open access as humans don’t understand the need to protect crops or avoid animals when walking with dogs or during lambing season for example.
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Food production and farming should take precedence over any development. This also contributes to biodiversity and protects against climate change. Any land suitable for food production and farming should be protected.
Argument 3. 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.
A> harm to agricultural land is clearly outweighed by the benefit of development? Also take into account the positive value of agricultural land on residents wellbeing, not just economic wellbeing.
UNABLE TO ADVISE
We don't know.
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If an area is high quality agricultural land, its continued use as such should be prioritised over development. Govenrment policy is clear that food production and farming contributes to sustainable development. Areas B12 and B13 are high quality agricultural land and should be preserved 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 green space for human benefit and greenspace for biodiversity purposes with low levels of human access such as for farmland and wildlife corridors
How can the harm to agricultural land be clearly outweighed by the benefit of development? We need to ensure that agricultural land is protected for its purpose: producing food. This country must produce more of its own food and have less reliance on imports which create harmful emissions .
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Q B8.1 No new settlements should be permitted on prime agricultural land. The pressures on current and future food production and supply mean that prime agricultural land should be highly protected.
Development should NOT be considered in Weston under Wetherley, where the site proposed is largely agricultural land and partially covers a flood plain. Use of land for any development should only be considered outside the greenbelt
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. In terms of agricultural land quality, areas B12 and B13 (Leamington North East and North West) comprise Grade 2 and Grade 3a agricultural land (except for a minor strip of Grade 3B). The land making up these sites is, therefore, considered to be a scarce resource with a degree of quality. The government seeks to protect against the loss of this land from development. The NPPF 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’. With the need to improve national food security the plan should include a policy that keeps land grades 1, 2 and 3a under cultivation and not used for other purposes. There is an opportunity to maximise and regenerate the contribution of Green Belt designated land in this instance. It would work well in conjunction with emerging land stewardship schemes, wildbelt designations and the promotion of biodiversity net gain.
There is an opportunity to maximise and regenerate the contribution of greenbelt designated land in this instance. It would work well in conjunction with emerging land stewardship schemes, wildbelt and SLA designations and the promotion of biodiversity net gain.
It would be of benefit to communities if agricultural land could be accessible in a controlled manner by local residents and visitors to achieve 'green space' benefits. This could be through the expansion of PROWs and use of permissive paths.
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.
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