I am writing to express my support of the proposals in the Revised Development Strategy. I am relieved to note that the Revised Development Strategy recognises that the exceptional circumstances necessary for a major development in the North Leamington Green Belt do not exist. Green Belt policy has served the nation well for many years and I think it is vital to preserve the limited green space between Leamington and Kenilworth.

I feel the Revised Development Strategy balances the housing allocation across the District in a fair and sensible manner. It's important that most of the development is located close to where there are employment opportunities (to the South of Leamington & Warwick) providing an opportunity for people to live close to their place of work, reducing or eliminating commuting for many people, with a consequential positive impact on the environment & their quality of life.

The Revised Development Strategy provides for improvement to the road network South of Leamington to relieve the existing congestion and to cater for the new development. It is important that these road improvements are carried out as part of a coordinated plan. Traffic surveys show that road improvements can cope with the planned new development and that locating the majority of the development South of Leamington will reduce traffic movements, ease congestion and reduce pollution.

With publication of the Revised Development Strategy, Warwick District Council is to be praised for recognising that development in the Green Belt north of Leamington should be limited to the proposals for Thickthorn and Lillington. The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that inappropriate development is harmful to the Green Belt and 'should not be approved except in very special circumstances'. I urge WDC to vigorously resist any suggestion that part of Coventry's housing allocation should be located within Warwick District, and especially not in the Green Belt.