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?
Warwickshire has been impacted massively by the HS2 build in terms of disruption to everyday life, long term environmental damage and loss of character. This especially applies to woodlands and park land. There should be no new housing in areas impacted severely by HS2 e.g. within 5km of the line.
No comment.
Areas B12 and B13 are high quality agricultural land designated to food production. The Government's policy supports its preservation over development as part of the sustainable and bio diversity policy. Greenspace does not mutually benefit people and biodiversity. Low levels of human access benefit biodiversity such as farmland and wildlife refuge/corridors. Greenspace and Green Belt are therefore not the same thing. 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.
When considering climate change, biodiversity and economic wellbeing, are there any rural land uses or locations that should be prioritised over others? 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, a scarce and quality resource . 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 SWLP should include a policy that keeps land grades 1, 2 and 3a under cultivation and these should 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.
High quality agricultural land should be prioritised for food production and safeguarded to allow for biodiversity regeneration. There is much work to do in this respect in post-war Britain and building on farm-land will not allow for a chance to regenerate it to it's true potential value in terms of environmental contribution.
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To target more natural woodland, forestry and tree planting alongside high growth connerbations
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Yes, prioritise BMV land for agriculture, but do not ignore the history of production from agricultural land not recorded as BMV. Take its history of provision into account, as well managed land can still be productive.
Agricultural land should be left untouched regardless. There should be more of a government lean towards encouraging/aiding British farmers to further develop this land to maximise productivity, to try and ensure this country can become self sufficient and not rely so heavily on imported cheaper foods. It would be easy to demonstrate that land has more value as housing vs farming, but this will never take into account the natural beauty these fields result in, the cleaner air quality, less light pollution, less CO2 pollution etc.
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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.
No answer given
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.
3b should also be included as developments in ag technology and practice now means 3b can be very productive. Agricultural land should be prioritised for sustainable food growth and biodiversity gain over all others. Renewable energy should be encouraged at source (on buildings not open land).
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. The development is expected to demonstrate that it avoids the best and most versatile agricultural land. The land between North Leamington and Old Milverton is grade 2 agricultural land. As well as growing a wide variety of crops to feed the nation. As commented by users of the footpath there is diverse wildlife on this farmland which the walkers enjoy as they cross the farm. ( deer, badgers, foxes, birds of prey, small mammals and various migratory and native birds)
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.
No answer given
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. 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 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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Green Belt land in Kenilworth South is UAA, regularly producing barley. A product which saw a national decrease in production by 4.2% during 2022. (ONS) Green Belt land which has soils rich enough for food production should be protected.
No answer given
The Green Belt areas B12 & B13 are high quality agricultural land, some of the best around Leamington. As such they are making an important contribution to sustainability and security of food supply, from what is a rapidly decreasing and already scarce resource. The NPPF is clear that if agricultural land is required for non-agricultural development, then poorer quality land should be prioritised over higher quality. 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 assumption that unrestricted access to green space can benefit both people and wildlife simultaneously is overly simplistic. It is better to have a clear distinction between green space for human benefit, and green space for biodiversity purposes with low levels of human access, such as farmland, wildlife havens and corridors.
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Yes. River and canal corridors need prioritisation, together with consideration of river catchment areas as a whole, for example Finham Brook and its tributaries upstream from Kenilworth Castle. The starting point for prioritisation of locations should begin with an analysis of the natural geography, not the development that has already taken place.
The Green Belt areas B12 & B13 are high quality agricultural land, some of the best around Leamington. As such they are making an important contribution to sustainability and security of food supply, from what is a rapidly decreasing and already scarce resource. The NPPF is clear that if agricultural land is required for non-agricultural development, then poorer quality land should be prioritised over higher quality. 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 assumption that unrestricted access to green space can benefit both people and wildlife simultaneously is overly simplistic. It is better to have a clear distinction between green space for human benefit, and green space for biodiversity purposes with low levels of human access, such as farmland, wildlife havens and corridors.