Modification 16
Plan to remove land north of Milverton from Green Belt is unsound precisely because it contravenes the purpose of Green Belt land, namely to prevent urban sprawl and maintain the essential characteristics of the openness and permanence of English countryside. This stretch of land is the entrance to the ancient Regency town of Leamington Spa and the land itself provides countryside walkways through the quintessential Old English village of Milverton. This is not just useable land but part of the beautiful English landscape that should be preserved for future generations.
Furthermore, any plan to further merge the distinctive historic towns of Kenilworth and Leamington Spa is unacceptable: the present plan would result in the green lung between Leamington and Kenilworth being reduced to less than 1 1/2 miles.
Proposed modifications are unsound as Exceptional Circumstances do not exist in this case: the proposal aims to meet Coventry's housing needs when it has been demonstrated that there are sustainable sites closer to Coventry which are of a lower Green Belt value than the land north of Milverton. Why plan for a development which would increase the need for commuting, road construction, congestion, pollution when the need can be met closer to Coventry? Will the people of Coventry choose to live in Leamington anyway or would the implementation of this plan lead to a development that would change the nature and character of North Leamington while making little or no difference to Coventry?