Having spent some time reviewing and discussing the Local plan with family, friends and neighbours I do not think that the exceptional circumstances required by the National Planning Policy Framework, to remove the land North of Milverton from the Green Belt, have been sufficiently demonstrated by Warwick District Council.
My concerns for the plan are around a number of areas;
The housing proposal is to support Coventry City Council housing not Leamington Spa or even Kenilworth. There are sustainable sites closer to Coventry, that people who want to work and live near work can access, rather than unnecessary commuting, increasing already congested access to and from Leamington Spa, especially around peak times, and increasing road construction. I also have concerns about increased volume of traffic through a residential area, creating an increased safety risk for children of all ages, getting to and from their school or local clubs.
I have also been informed that WDC, in co-operation with Coventry City Council, have assessed sites on the edge of Coventry as being of lower green belt "value". I am lead to understand that when a Green belt site is being put forward as a sustainable site, the green belt "value" is taken into account, therefore surely these lower value green belt areas should be considered before any development is proposed in the Green belt area north of Milverton, as has already been done in other counties.
I would also highlight that the modification is unsound as it would result in "green lung" between Leamington Spa and Kenilworth,to be reduced to only 1 1/2 miles.
I am also devastated to see the irreversible loss to wild life habitats and highly productive farmland that this proposal would support. I teach young children and it is getting harder and harder to find environments locally that can be used to teach our children about wildlife, farming, seasons and learning about the natural world by merely going on a walk. Alongside this my family and I love to use the land for recreational walks, bike rides and talking about nature. I believe the protection of the Green Belt is extremely important and I would urge this modification to be reconsidered.