Object

Preferred Options

Representation ID: 49474

Received: 26/07/2012

Respondent: Mr. A. Burrows

Representation Summary:

The WDC Housing needs assessment and inward migration figures appear incorrect, the arguments are flawed and the assumptions false. The Council should consider work undertaken by Bishops Tachbrook, which uses newly published census data. A more realistic conclusion is arrived at - only 5,336 houses needed over the plan period.

Full text:

-PO1 Levels of Growth
The WDC Housing needs assessment and inward migration figures appear incorrect, the arguments are flawed and the assumptions false. The Council must use due diligence to study the paper submitted by Ray Bullen from Bishops Tachbrook which re examines the migration and population data. It also provides updated figures using the newly published Census information which proves that the WDC conclusions are incorrect.
Mr Bullens report provides a much more realistic conclusion of only 5,336 houses needed over the plan period.

PO3 Broad Location of Growth
I am concerned about the over concentration of development in villages along the B4439 corridor to the west of Warwick. This proposal places far too much strain on this rural area and its infrastructure. Any attempt to 'improve' the infrastructure will adversely affect the rural character of this area. Why is development not being spread to also include villages to the East and North of the District ?

PO16 green Belt
I profoundly disagree with proposals to remove Green Belt status from certain villages.
The principles of creation of Green Belt land are still valid today and provide a valuable protection from inappropriate development.
There are many contradictions between the WDC plan proposals and the National Planning Policy Framework which says that Green belt must be protected unless exceptional circumstances exist. PO16 item B directly conflicts with PO16 item C. (page 17).

If any small scale development is allowed in village locations, the type of housing must not be dictated by developers. The local community must be able to determine what is required for local need.

Any development must be planned in a priority order using Brown Field sites first, secondly developing areas close to existing infrastructure, and only allowing any developments in rural and Green Belt areas as a last resort.