The Planning Group are to be congratulated on their achievement in formulating a development plan based on sound planning principles and robust evidence for the forthcoming 15 years and in so doing, escape the folly imposed of an attempt to spread the 'development load' to include an ill conceived and unsuitable development involving the destruction of the Green Belt north of Leamington. This could only lead to legal challenge as the planning process progressed. If actioned this perceived act of vandalism would also unlock the way to further development, a merging of Kenilworth and Bagington with Coventry; and ultimately include Leamington, Warwick and associated local villages also merged into the West Midlands conurbation. Assumed Planning approval for the Green Belt associated with the Gateway is already a step far too far.

I see that objection has been stridently voiced, concerning the 2013 revised plan, even by some District Councillors, who should certainly know better, suggesting that they have not read the relevant documentation, do not understood it, or are being deliberately obtuse and combative.

It is however, generally agreed that there are prominent existing issues to be addressed. The revised plan does include strategies for the resolution of those issues, including addressing environmental (traffic generated) air pollution, infrastructure deficiencies and impoverished amenities in some neighbourhoods covered by the latest plans.

Crucially and most importantly, the Revised Local plan's proposed housing development is located close to places of work (including the Gaydon centres of employment) and to national Road & Rail networks. Coincidently, it minimises additional cross town-centre commuting and hence enhances opportunity for town centre regeneration. Although cycleways are mentioned in each phase of the report, detail is lacking for such a key proposal for components of traffic (management), environmental improvement and recreation. Links to larger places of Work and Educational institutions ought to be detailed and feature prominently.

As I recall, little has been offered concerning the rescuing of the Town Centres of Leamington and Warwick. Over the past 40 years, we have been witness to a steady aesthetic degradation of these areas and worse is threatened. It is too late to regenerate the attractive town centres residents like to, or think, they remember.

People are reluctant to walk any distance now, unless it is seen as a recreational opportunity. To draw shoppers back into these areas demands that far more comprehensive and inexpensive car parking is made available and domestic dwellings built of both an affordable and commercial quality. This type of development is far more appropriately accomplished in an urban environment than in small hamlets/villages and green field sites. A change in policy in this regard could offer a significant release of attractive windfall sites. Such opportunities are particularly appropriate for those with limited mobility and those with an increasing reliance on public transport. We have an expanding and ageing population nationally. Warwick District can be no exception and preparations for it ought to be well advanced and more generally appreciated.

In conclusion I refer you to a statement recently circulated by Old Milverton and Blackdown Parish Council which very succinctly summarises the position :

"The Parish Council believes that new development should be concentrated where there are existing employment opportunities and infrastructure to support the development. It also believes it is essential for new development to be properly planned and controlled, and where necessary there is adequate investment in new roads and other infrastructure to support that development.

The Revised Development Strategy fulfils these objectives. Recent evidence shows that the revised plan may have less traffic congestion, less pollution and improved schools and other facilities than building on North Leamington's Green Belt. For these reasons the Parish Council supports the Revised Development Strategy