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