Object

Revised Development Strategy

Representation ID: 52719

Received: 05/07/2013

Respondent: Mr Ray Steele

Representation Summary:

There are inconsistencies in the application of the Green Belt in terms of not distributing the houses throughout the Warwick District. It is favouring one community to spite another. The effects on the community are far more important than small incursions into the Green Belt on 100 small sites [as suggested as an alternative approach].
The Council should invite comments on the question of alternative sites.
There are now alternatives for the siting of houses being suggested by individuals, that should have been included in the Local Plan. The problem that much work would be needed to bring this into a workable plan is no reason for the now much discredited Local Plan.
The objections regarding practical issues of infrastructure, hospitals, schools, local services, shops, car parking, disruption to travel, Urban sprawl, Lack of employment in the area, and much more are very real for the community of South Leamington.
No alternative is given to the 'sledgehammer' solution of the Local plan
For too long WDC have regarded and treated anywhere south of the river as less desirable than north of the river. This final gesture to dump 11,000 houses there is the final straw, and attitudes need to change.

Full text:

Now that more residents have come on board to oppose the Local Plan and its related planning applications It is time to reappraise the whole situation.
It is very evident that with the limited resources of individuals and councillors in communicating with every single resident in the area affected by the Local Plan proposals, the majority of individual residents are still very much in the dark.

The following are points that have arisen during our involvement with the Local Plan:-

1. The public do not understand the connection between the Local Plan and Planning Applications.
2. The public cannot understand how planning applications are being submitted and will be heard ahead of the Local Plan finalisation.
3. No alternative is given to the 'sledgehammer' solution of the Local Plan.
4. Our objections direct to WDC do not seem to be making any headway and no compromise is in the offing.
5. There are inconsistencies in the application of the Green Belt for not distributing the houses throughout the Warwick District. It is favouring one community to spite another. The effects on the community are far more important than small incursions into the Green Belt on 100 small sites.
6. There are now alternatives for the siting of houses being suggested by individuals, that in my opinion should have been included in the Local Plan. The problem that much work would be needed to bring this into a workable plan is no reason for the now much discredited Local Plan. We need WDC to take up the suggestions to alleviate harming of the community.
7. WDC does not show any interest in the reaction of the public that has now arisen. Any meetings with WDC we attend are just to tell us what WDC are going to do, and not to listen to our questions.
8. The public believe when they bother to attend consultations their views will be taken into account. The truth is they are largely ignored, certainly about the important issues.
9. The fact that Landowners and Developers have now jumped the gun and spent considerable resources on preparing planning applications, indicates they have had discussions with WDC that have given them assurance they will be successful.
10. The objections regarding practical issues of infrastructure, hospitals, schools, local services, shops, car parking, disruption to travel, Urban sprawl, Lack of employment in the area, and much more are very real for the community of South Leamington. They are all on top of the foregoing points.
11. For too long WDC have regarded and treated anywhere south of the river as less desirable than north of the river. This final gesture to dump 11,000 houses there is the final straw, and attitudes need to change.
12. A result of this has prompted letters to Chris White MP, who has now replied to the Leader of WDC, and I am sure by now you must have digested this letter.

The only responsible immediate action that could lead to making sense of all the reaction is now to extend the Consultation on the Local Plan and all Planning Applications indefinitely.
This is not abandoning the Local Plan or refusing Planning Applications. It will give time to reconsider the Local Plan and give developers the chance to wait for any alternative solution to be found that could mean the South of Leamington will not be the site for the ultimate 11,000 homes it is now being threatened with.

If one single Planning Application is given approval it will need a Public Enquiry to examine the affairs of WDC and how the Local Plan has been conducted.
WDC should have considered this when they had discussions with Land Owners and Developers.

After all things are considered what is the rush? We have until 2029 to complete this exercise.