Object

Proposed Modifications January 2016

Representation ID: 68411

Received: 19/04/2016

Respondent: Leamington Society

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Representation Summary:

WDC have not even considered the option of high density housing , which would enable WDC to avoid concreting over large areas of green field or even Green belt. Suburban sprawl will generate more car use and more pollution.

Full text:

All the new sites and the previously adopted sites, mainly to the south of Warwick and Leamington, are based on profligate use of land.

Although described as "urban extensions" they are designed at far lower density than the towns and this spread of "garden suburbs" does not reflect the context and urban quality of either Warwick or Leamington. This is in spite of the high value that the market clearly attributes to existing accommodation within these two towns.
All the new sites and the previously adopted sites, mainly to the south of Warwick and Leamington, are based on profligate use of land.

Although described as "urban extensions" they are designed at far lower density than the towns and this spread of "garden suburbs" does not reflect the context and urban quality of either Warwick or Leamington. This is in spite of the high value that the market clearly attributes to existing accommodation within these two towns.
The justification cited for low density sprawl was to provide "green spaces" but this housing policy inevitably covers huge extra areas of green countryside, now also within the Greenbelt, with sprawling suburbs. It is the negation of the original purpose of Greenbelt - to contain settlements and protect adjoining countryside.
A policy of low density layouts has plainly exacerbated Warwick District's problems in providing the necessary extra housing: it is a matter of simple arithmetic in land requirements. Yet that is by no means the only effect. It also is bound to compromise the sustainability of these new developments. This is particularly evident in the provision of transport options and other local services.