6: Congestion & Pollution

The policy context is described well and we support the recognition that an integrated transport network is needed, and that agencies should work towards reducing the need to travel, especially by car.

There is a need to add policies to:
actively restrict development which has a major negative impact on CO2 emissions .

We would also remind you that the Warwickshire Climate Change Strategy's aim to reduce greenhouse gas omissions may be difficult to achieve if population figures for the District are allowed to increase as has been predicted.

Objective 5.1 should read 'provide a sustainable economy'. Whilst the Districts economy is healthy changes in the type of work from industrial to more office based professions has meant less land is needed to provide a similiar number of jobs and there is little need to allocate more land for employment purposes particularly in the short term. Before encouraging people to live in the District it is important to reduce out commuting by making it easier for people to work at home or creating more jobs in the district. Policies should encourage employment development only to meet an identified local need not to encourage businesses and people to move into the district at the expense of Major Urban Areas of the region.

The suggested additional demand for retail is based on the assumption that the population will increase which is difficult to predict. In assessing demand the local authority should look at quantitative and qualitative need to ensure it will contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of existing retail centres. A threshold should be imposed to restrict the development of large scale retail outlets which would damage the town centres. Within significant areas of housing development provision should be made for local retail outlets which would avoid an increase in traffic, provide access to shopping for those without a car and encourage vibrant neighbourhood centres.