North of Milverton, Leamington Spa

Proposed Development of Greenbelt land at Blackdown & Old Milverton

I object to the above development as this is the only area which exists for walking offroad and greenbelt should mean "greenbelt".
Should this development take place Kenilworth & Leamington would more or less be joined together

The proposed buildings development at Old Milverton and Blackdown.

I hope yourselves~Warwick District Council, has a change of mind regarding its wish for a large-scale housing development on these two sites!. I am not blind to the fact, that it must be a nightmare for W.D.C to find suitable land to build-on, to such a large scale as is wanted, without upsetting the periphery communities of the proposed sites. I am Leamington~~born and bred and I would not know where to build-on in such a large scale anywhere in town or its surrounding area. I don't like to see a beautiful area of countryside or large arable land, built-on in grand scale! and we just happen to have a lot of countryside and arable land around us, here. I could warble-on! so I will end by asking~Is this giant development of houses and roads a real must-need?.

SAFEGUARDING THE GREEN BELT
I write to object most strongly on the proposed developments that are planned for the Milverton/Blackdown area.

I feel that not enough consideration has been given to if these houses are actually required and whether there are people wanting to move to the area to take up jobs that are on offer. There is an economic down turn at present.

I do not think that WDC saying to us the voters that if we do not accept the proposed plans then the govenment could enforce them. I am sure this too will bring strong opposition from those of us that say the green belt should stay green belt.

WDC should look again at what they proposed in 2010 in relation to development and planning in the Warwick/Leamington Spa area and at legislation surrounding green belt land.

I am appalled at the Council's proposal to build on our green belt land north of Leamington Spa. One of the delights, for me and my family, about living in Leamington Spa, is its proximity to the countryside for walking and for fresh air. It also keeps Kenilworth as a 'separate' town with it's own distinct character.

I understand that other, local non green belt areas have been identified which would be suitable for development on this scale and would not need so much alteration to the road system etc.

There is also the question of building on flood plains. Surely the weather this year will show that the danger of large scale flooding should be taken very seriously.

Green Belt (North Leamington) Proposals

"You cannot be serious !" Try redeveloping existing brownfield slums before you ruin Green Belt.

I appreciate the need for more housing but not on valuable Green Belt land to the North of Leamington Spa.

This proposed new development does not make sense when the WDC has also identified suitable non Green Belt land to the South of Leamington Spa where the infrastructure and employment also exists !

There is also a need to protect Green Belt land and not destroy it which this proposed development will effectively will do.

I am writing to you to object that you do not continue with your plans to build on or around the land near Old Milverton, Leamington Spa. I live in the centre of Coventry and I have been visiting this area for over 15 years on a regular basis to visit friends, enjoy the countryside and generally take advantage of being in such a wonderful place (outside of the inner city areas).

I am writing to you to hopefully make you realise that this area is not only important to the people that live in the village itself but also to people like myself who live in inner city areas. Old Milverton, is a wonderful village and to build on the land would be devastating to such a beautiful and typical English village.

I would like to take this opportunity to object to the proposal to develop the land at Old Milverton and Blackdown . We as a family have had many years of pleasure walking in this wonderful area . it's a very unique area with many years of memories that me and my family cherish .

I would like to express my protest at the new proposals to allow development in the green belt area of Blackdown, Kenilworth and Old Milverton as these plans

* Reduce the" Green Lung" between Leamington and Kenilworth to less than 1 1/2 miles.

* Reduce everyone's ability to walk, ride, cycle and enjoy this important green space.

* Have a detrimental effect of the picturesque northern gateways to Leamington and Kenilworth, turning them in to another Europa Way and contributing to these Towns losing their identity.

* Result in a "Northern Relief Road" which has no purpose other than to take new home owners quickly on to the A46 and to jobs and shopping opportunities away from our Towns.

* Be another blow to independent retailers in Leamington, Kenilworth and Warwick who make the area attractive places to live. Further "Out of Town" shopping will take trade away from the Towns.

* Not help traffic flows. At peak times the delays on the A452 result from commuters wanting access to the Town centres. Making it a dual carriage way will not help.

* Not comply with the Government's National Planning Policy Framework for development in the Green Belt.

* Violate an important nature corridor along the River Avon.

* Involve construction on the flood plain at Leek Wootton.

* Result in the loss of a significant amount of high quality agricultural land.

* Ignore the views of residents. In response to a previous consultation nearly 60% of respondents opposed development in the Green Belt

I hope you take into account all the above issues and look at your policy again.

I am writing to voice my strong objection to the proposals to build on green belt land in and around leamington, Blackdown and old Milverton. I am perplexed at the reasons put forward and would like to know what the exceptional circumstances are that the council feel give them the excuse to build.
I am not against developments when they are appropriate and necessary and particularly when they are well thought through after extensive research and consideration of alternatives. This does not seem to have happened in this particular case. I live on Leicester lane and have done so for over 10 years. We currently have the development of the old North Leamington School site which will provide 100's of new homes, just up the road in Cubbington you have a brown field site where the Thwaites plant currently is, lots of derectict unused buildings, hard standing and heavy plant, this whole site would remove the heavy plant using the old road, stop disturbing the residents and provide for 100's of more homes. The existing plant could be relocated to another industrial site.
The south of the town affords more brown belt with harbury Lane being a previous preferred site with developers ready to develop 100's if not 1000's of homes. These would be near the M40, train station and the major shopping retail park.
I ask you to reconsider your plans which do appear to be profit driven and consider saving our 'Important' Greenbelt.
I would appreciate acknowledgement of this email and a detailed response.

Crawford I am emailing to raise my opposition to the proposal to build new houses on Green Belt land in Leicester Lane.

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I am disappointed that Brown Field available sites are being overlooked and are not in the proposal for development. Can you please respond to this email as it has been said that no resident from Leicester Lane is opposing the proposals to build on Green Belt on Leicester Lane and that is not the case.

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I am greatly opposed to the new development plans in our area. It will destroy the natural beauty and countryside that make it a great place to live.

Dont destroy our countryside.

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I am writing to voice my concerns over the proposed plans-

I think it ridiculous that you plan to build almost 3000 new houses - and for who?

This is not a welcome change.

Regarding the proposal to develop green belt land to the north of Leamington.
As a daily dog walker, runner and mother to four young children, I and my family are dismayed at the above proposal to build on land that is so widely used by all members of the public.
My children love to cycle along the paths, I enjoy running away from polluted roads and we all enjoy walking the family dog through these beautiful fields. For many children such as mine it is this absence of manicured park land that enables them to run a little more freely - attending to environmental issues such as the varying types of crops grown, the insects that frequent them and the wildlife that they observe in the hedgerows.
I moved here from London and have always valued Leamington Spa as a town set amid countryside. To deplete this accessible countryside unnecessarily when other non-green belt land has been identified would be a short-sighted view of just what makes Leamington such an attractive place to live in the first place.
Yes, houses are required and accommodation is an important issue that the whole country faces. But what makes England special? A week ago we all watched with pride as the Olympic Opening Ceremony portrayed our green and pleasant land. If there are possible areas that do not represent what makes our country special then every scrap should be used before we dig up what is our heritage. What are the council's 'exceptional circumstances' to warrant it's demise when sufficient and suitable available sites outside the Greenbelt have already been identified?
I, among many others, look forward to your response.
Regards

Kate Disley
Leamington Spa.

I object to the proposed development in Old Milverton and Blackdown contained in Warwick District Council's Preferred Options for the Local plan. This land has great recreational value to the local community. It is enjoyed by many runners, riders, walkers and cyclists.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that the Government attaches great importance to Greenbelts and that the fundamental aim of Greenbelt is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open.

The Greenbelt in Old Milverton and Blackdown fulfils the 5 purposes of Greenbelt set out in the NPPF and therefore should remain as open Greenbelt land for ever. It:

-Prevents the unrestricted sprawl of Leamington to the north
-Prevents the merging of Leamington and Kenilworth
-Helps safeguard the countryside from encroachment
-Helps preserve the setting and special character of Leamington and Warwick, both historic towns.
-Helps urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land

There are other sites which can be developed that are not in the Greenbelt. These sites, which are mainly to the south of Leamington, were included in Warwick District Council's previous plan (the 2009 Core Strategy). Employment opportunities and infrastructure already exists here and this land should be used in preference to the Greenbelt.

The NPPF states that Greenbelt boundaries should only be altered in exceptional circumstances. As there are alternative sites, there are no exceptional circumstances which outweigh the harm caused by altering the Greenbelt boundaries in Old Milverton and Blackdown and allowing development on this land.

Please reconsider your Preferred Options

Objects to plans for building on green belt north of Leamington, created for the specific purpose of preventing the spread of development. This should not be redrawn to fit in with future housing plans, nothing is planned for Radford Semele so why North Leamington. Those wanting to live in a busy part of leamington full of supermarkets and industrial units would have chosen the south side. If the plans for future development are carried through it will probably expand and be joined by all the other major supermarkets on, what was previously the Green Belt land in North Leamington. Along with all the houses you intend to build this will undoubtedly destroy the character of this pleasant end of town.
I urge you not to build on the Green Belt land but preserve the principle of it for the enjoyment of future generations.

I write to object to the proposed development in Old Milverton and Blackdown contained in Warwick District Council's Preferred Options for the Local plan.

I have lived in the area for my whole life, in the same house which backs onto the Greenbelt land, upon which there are development plans. Every day, I walk through this land and there is always another walker, runner, cyclist, dog walker etc., out and making the most of this wonderful expanse of countryside in the area. I was, therefore, quite shocked, as well as mystified, when I heard of the proposed plans to remove this Greenbelt from the area to which it adds so much, and has done so over my years here.

I am not only surprised to hear of the plans because of the recreational value of this land. The land also prevents unrestricted sprawl of the town of Leamington to the north, as well as its merging with Kenilworth.

Furthermore, it is unusual to propose development on this Greenbelt land because of the statement in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) attaching great value to Greenbelts such as that which is planned to be destroyed.

The NPPF also states that the alteration of Greenbelt boundaries should only happen in exceptional circumstances. I can report little success in finding any such circumstances, especially with the clear availability of other sites, mainly to the south of Leamington, which were included in Warwick District Council's previous plan (the 2009 Core Strategy). This land is clearly a valid alternative, as is reinforced by the already established employment opportunities and infrastructure, therefore leaving no excuse to apparently ignore this land's potential, instead choosing to alter the boundaries of the Greenbelt land in Old Milverton and Blackdown. Since, then, there seems to be a lack of 'exceptional circumstances', the harm caused by choosing to develop on this Greenbelt is reason enough to reconsider your preferred options.

I hope you can realise the reason for my objection, and take heed of the obvious local discontent at these plans.

I would like to register my objection to the proposal in the new local plan to build 810 houses plus employment facilities on green belt land to the north of Leamington and a further 1170 houses plus employment facilities on green belt land at Blackdown. My objections are as follows:

Green belt land should not be developed when other suitable land is available and sites to the south of the town and east of the A452 have been identified.
Non green belt land has been identified which is suitable for development. This land is not going to be used for this proposal but will almost certainly be snapped up by a developer who will then probable obtain planning permission to develop the site. If the proposed amount of development takes place this will result in the over provision of land.

One of the stated aims of the planning process is to preserve the separate identity of Leamington and Kenilworth. The size of the development at Blackdown would seriously compromise this aim, particularly as the plan also proposes development to the south of Kenilworth.

Another concern was that development to the south of the town, although deemed suitable, was rejected because of the amount of cross town travel this would encourage. I dispute this. Trips into the town certainly, but with employment facilities provided in the south as well as the amount already there, I do not see why this should be the case.

Old Milverton is a distinctly different settlement and it's identity would be destroyed by the development, particularly as a relief road is planned to go right through the area.

I also dispute the council's predictions for population growth as they are based on projections from a past period of exceptional growth. The proposed amount of development, therefore, appears excessive.

As a member of the community for nearly 30 years I feel it is vital to protect our green belt land for the well being of it's inhabitants, for our wildlife, and for the greater environmental good.

If these proposals must go ahead it would be more logical for the development to be located in the south on the available land.
The land is nearer public transport , nearer the town centre where you can access local services like the railway station, shops etc.
Eating up any more green belt should be a last resort. Apart from losing more of our beautiful countryside, it means building more roads and hence more traffic which in my view we do not want.
We should be focusing on coordinating and improving our public transport system as part of a long term strategy.
No more road development please, I see no future in it. It ultimately leads to less freedom for all us and more stress.
What is proposed in North Leamington sounds like a bit of a nightmare along with a highway and surely is a short term fix.

I wish to object to building on Green Belt Land in Blackdown and Old Milverton as shown in the 2012 Preferred options Plan.

I have been a resident of north Leamington for 44 years (all my life) and am an active runner, walker and cyclist. The area mentioned above is one of the very few where you can safely get into open countryside and enjoy the fresh air and amenity. A loss of such amenity is surely avoidable given the other areas of non-green belt land available?

Your point about 'sharing the pain' is absurd as it is surely more important that Leamington retains such an area to continue to attract people to the town. My wife having moved constantly with her father's work never left Leamington once she found it in part due to the mix of land, property, town, countryside and people. Please don't destroy one of the last few beautiful areas that my one year old twins love being carried through and in time will cycle and run.

It would be shameful to build here until you have exhausted all alternatives and checked that the number of houses you require is needed !

I write to strongly object to the proposed development in Old Milverton and Blackdown contained in the Warwick District Council's Preferred Options for the Local Plan.

This land has great recreational value to the local community, and to people visiting the area. It is enjoyed by many walkers, runners, riders and cyclists and in view of the Government's professed policy of fighting obesity, removal of such a facility would be detrimental.

The National Planning Policy Framework states that the Government attaches great importance to Green Belts and that the fundamental aim of Green Belt is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open. This Green Belt land in Old Milverton and Blackdown fulfils the 5 purposes of Green Belt as set out in the NPPF and should therefore remain as open Green Belt land for ever. 1) It prevents the unrestricted sprawl of Leamington to the north, (2) prevents the merging of Leamington and Kenilworth and (3) helps safeguard the countryside from encroachment. (4) It also helps preserve the setting and special character of the historic town of Royal Leamington Spa and (5) helps urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.

There are other sites which can be developed that are not in the Green Belt. These sites, which are mainly to the south of Leamington, were included in Warwick District Council's previous plan (the 2009 Core Strategy). Employment opportunities and infrastructure already exist here and this land should be used in preference to any Green Belt. Furthermore, the huge cost of building a northern relief road, which would have to cross a flood plain causing even greater expense, cannot be justified when in the south of Leamington there is an existing road network that could be upgraded at a considerably lower cost.

The NPPF states that Green Belt boundaries should only be altered ' in exceptional circumstances '. As there are alternative sites, there are NO exceptional circumstances which outweigh the harm caused by altering the Green Belt boundaries in Old Milverton and Blackdown and allowing development on this land.

PLEASE RECONSIDER YOUR PREFERRED OPTIONS

I am writing to oppose the District Council's plans to develop on Green Belt Land as shown in their 2012 Preferred Options booklet. Nothing has changed since the 2009 Core Strategy, so there cannot be any justification for these fundamental changes now
I object to building on Green Belt Land in Blackdown and Old Milverton as shown in the 2012 Preferred options Plan. This area is an asset to Leamington Spa. It is enjoyed by many walkers, runners riders and cyclists and should be preserved at all costs. It would be shameful to build here until you have exhausted all alternatives and checked that the number of houses you require is needed !

I am writing this note to strongly protest about the plan to develop green belt land in Blackdown and Old Milverton as part of Warwick District Council's preferred options for increasing local housing.

I have followed advice from both a lawyer and planning consultant in putting together my objections. Whilst I do understand the need to increase the availability of affordable housing in the area, I object to these being planned in the Blackdown and Old Milverton green belt land.

I object to this on a number of grounds:

I believe there are other viable non-green belt alternatives as identified in the 2009 plan. There are no compelling planning reasons or 'exceptional circumstances' to justify the development of the green belt land in Blackdown and Old Milverton.

This green belt land satisfies the 5 purposes of green belt and in paragraph 16 of the government document ' Strategic gap and green belt policies in structure plans' clearly indicates that if there is a choice between green belt and green wedge then it is more important to preserve the green belt. Therefore if the choice is to either reduce the greenbelt land to the north of Leamington or reduce the green wedge in the south then the latter option must be the choice.

In the previous preferred options the green belt land in Blackdown was eliminated for further study ( point 7.32) and so Warwick District Council seem to have abandoned these conclusions from their own greenbelt study. In 2009 WDC carried out a substantial investigation, and a public consultation, and adopted a development plan for a similar number of houses which did not require ANY release of greenbelt. It has come to my attention that at a recent meeting with councillors the reason for the change from this plan was given as 'everyone needs to share the pain'. My barrister has pointed out that this is not a legal planning argument!

There are other options, mostly in the south of Leamington, and on non- green belt land.

The land just south of Heathcote would allow for 1200 houses in an area previously deemed suitable. The Radford Semele site could accommodate more than 550 houses instead of the 100 proposed. I have been told that the reason given for not developing Radford Semele to this level is the existence of a gas pipeline. This has been examined by a planning expert who believes that the pipes would cause no issue with the construction of the higher level of housing.

It would make much more sense to develop land to the south of Leamington that is nearer the various transport links, and closer to employment opportunities.

New housing to the north would significantly increase traffic on the A46 and A445, and would require the construction of a new road. This seems totally inappropriate when there are other viable alternatives.

There appears to have been no consideration given to the removal of productive farm land that would be removed as part of the plan.

In summary, I cannot object strongly enough to the development of greenbelt in Blackdown and Old Milverton. There are more viable alternatives to the south of Leamington which make far more sense from a planning perspective.

Significant advice has already been taken which has only reconfirmed my view that firstly the plan is flawed, and secondly I would be prepared to mount a robust legal challenge should it come to that.

I am writing to you with concern as to the proposed development of Old Milverton and Blackdown in Leamington Spa. I severely object to this development due to the following reasons:

1. The land is incredibly valued by the local community and is used throughout the year by many people such as cyclists, dog walkers and joggers to name just a few.

2. The proposed development encroaching Greenbelt land - The National Planning Policy Framework states that the government attaches great importance to Greenbelt land as it prevents urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open. The main purposes of of the Greenbelt as set out by the NPPF are fulfilled by this land as:
- it prevents the unrestricted urban sprawl of Leamington to the north
- it prevents the merging of Leamington and Kenilworth
- it helps to safeguard the countryside from encroachment
- it preserves the setting and character of the historical town of Leamington Spa

3. It is to my knowledge that there are other sites which can be developed other than this cherished Greenbelt land. These sites (mainly to the south of Leamington) were included in Warwick District Council's previous plan (the 2009 Core Strategy). Employment opportunities and infrastructure already exist here, making the use of this land preferable.

4. The NPPF states that Greenbelt land should not be developed except in exceptional circumstances. As there are alternative sites, I believe that the reasoning for the proposed development of Old Milverton and Blackdown does not constitute as an exceptional circumstance.

Not only do I object to this proposed development for these practical reasons, I have very personal reasons also. I was born in Leamington Spa and continue to lead a very happy life here, throughout my childhood and up until this day I continue to use our Greenbelt land with my family and friends. I believe that my use of this land has helped me in my development, giving me a sense of worth and shaping the person I am today. I fear that due to the proposed development, others both today and in the future will not be able to enjoy this land like I have and continue to do so, therefore I plead for you to consider the other, more suitable and less destructive, sites on which to develop.

I urge you to reconsider your decision and please allow the Greenbelt land to remain intact.

I would like to register my objection to the proposals to build new housing to the North of Northumberland Road and in the Blackdown area.

Not only are these supposedly protected green belt areas, but the land is used extremely frequently by local residents for walking, jogging and dog exercising.
Furthermore, the traffic in the area is already overcrowded, and any increase would cause enormous problems.

I therefore suggest alternative locations are found where there are not such potentially serious consequences for both the local and more distant populations.

I am writing to show my strong objection to the new Proposed development plan on Green Belt Land in North Leamington. One can only assume that it was designated as Green Belt after careful consideration of all the relevant factors and was then included in the 2012 referred Options booklet. Why is this original work now being ignored? Nothing has changed since the 2009 Core Strategy, so what justification is there to disregard all the work that was carried out and resulted in the Green Belt Classification?

Whilst I understand that more houses have to be built, such building must be carried out on Brown and White field sites before any consideration is given to using valuable Green Belt Land.

I would like to make to following points regarding the proposed
development of the above land.

1) This land marks the separation of Kenilworth and Leamington Spa.
It is good agricultural land that has crops grown on it every year.
With the increasing population and the cost of imporation of food it
is imperative we conserve the land that can feed the generations to come.

2) The land has many public footpaths crossing it which are used by
hundreds of people every day.

3) The development of this land could also be a flood risk with the increase
in tarmac roads and paved front and rear gardens.

4) At the meeting held in Milverton Church the proposal of employment was
mentioned. This was promised when I lived in Coventry in the development
of the A444 and has never been successful with so called employment areas
still being empty and so no jobs were available as the result of this development.

5) The proposed new roads would be a disaster for the area. We already have
many vehicles queing on the A46 and A452 and if the roads and housing were
given the go ahead then Kenilworth and Leamington would be nearly joined
together.

6) There has to be somewhere else that can be developed for necessary housing.
Why wasn't the old Ford factory site used. We do not want or need any more
supermarkets in Leamington. What about using the Heathcote area.

7) Please remember that you were voted into your positions by people who trusted
that you would do the right thing. Please do so by finding another area to
develop.

I wish to object most strongly to the proposal to develop Green Belt Land north of Leamington and I detail below, my reasons for doing so.

1. There is already sufficient land available outside the greenbelt, east of the A451 (Europa Way) and south of Heathcote, towards Bishops Tachbrook. Those sites are already close to existing infrastructure and employment facilities which could also serve the proposed new housing. I believe the council has already identified this land as developable.
2. There is no justification, in my opinion, to develop the greenbelt land at Blackdown and Old Milverton, nor is it sensible to consider spending £28m on a major new relief road which would ruin the village, as well as divert resources from other much needed public investment.
3. In times of a double-dip recession, it should be a priority to save money and make more sensible use of the existing facilities. In my own neighbourhood, it is very noticeable that the housing development on the site of the previous Potterton Factory, has not been a success. More than half of the houses/appartments have never been occupied and the site has a decided air of neglect. It's so close to a natural flood plain, that I cannot understand how that project got underway in the first place.
4. Since the NPPF clearly states that one purpose of Greenbelt protection is to prevent urban sprawl, by spreading the options as the council's current proposals would do, I think rather encourages this sprawl. The land proposed for development to the north of Leamington is necessary for exercise and recreation and prevents this attractive town from losing its decided character which it would do if it were allowed to merge into Kenilworth when each town would then lose its individual identity.
5. With Britain now in a very worrying and prolonged recession, I think it unlikely that so much housing and employment facilities is required for the immediate future. Perhaps councillors should take a walk through the
centre of Leamington and make note of the increasing shop closures and other businesses closing down.

I do hope that commonsense prevails and that a sensible planning policy is offered rather than a misguided political policy which takes no account of the historical heritage of this part of England and how we should all do our utmost to protect and maintain it for future generations.

I am amazed that the local council wish to build on the green belt land between Leamington & Kenilworth. There was a local plan with 5 options a few years ago, none of which included this area, even though there was more proposed housing. What has changed? This time there are no options and a short consultation period, I feel the area has been badly let down by our councillors, who, it seems wish to see an urban sprawl encompassing Leamington, Kenilworth and Warwick.
Green belt should be protected except in exceptional circumstances, this is not an exceptional circumstance as there are other alternatives as per previous options.
Councillor Doody, has said that if there is no plan, one will be imposed, that would be for the best, as I cannot believe anyone else would come up with such a poor plan which would devastate the precious green belt areas in our district.

I object to the proposed development in Old Milverton and Blackdown contained in Warwick District Councils's Preferred Options for the Local Plan.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that the Government attaches great importance to Greenbelts and that the fundamental aim of Greenbelt is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open.
The Greenbelt in Old Milverton and Blackdown fulfils the 5 purposes of Greenbelt set out in the NPPF and therefore should remain as open Greenbelt land for ever. It
* Prevents the unrestricted sprawl of Leamington to the north
* Prevents the merging of Leamington and Kenilworth
* Helps safeguard the countryside from encroachment
* Helps preserve the setting and special character of Leamington (a historic town)
* Helps urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land
This land has great recreational value to the local community. It is enjoyed by many runners, riders, walkers and cyclists.
There are other sites which can be developed that are not in the Greenbelt. These sites, which are mainly to the south of Leamington, were included in Warwick District Council's previous plan (the 2009 Core Strategy). Employment opportunities and infrastructure already exists here, and this land should be used in preference to the Greenbelt.
The NPPF states that Greenbelt boundaries should only be altered in exceptional circumstances. As there are alternative sites, there are no exceptional circumstances which outweigh the harm caused by altering the Greenbelt boundaries in Old Milverton and Blackdown and allowing development on this land.
As you have not been able to provide an explanation of any significant changes that have occurred since your 2009-10 Core Studies, I request that you please reconsider your Preferred Options.

Re: Proposed development of green belt land in North Leamington

I am writing to voice my concerns about and objection to the possibility of developing green belt land and building up to 2200 new houses in north Leamington.

The area under consideration for development is a wonderful amenity for local people, not only for recreation and exercise, but also for its very existence as a green and open space, something which should not be thrown away lightly.

Green belt land should not be used where there is still available other suitable land, such as infilling in existing built-up areas. Moreover, despite the alleged need for more housing, there still seem to be empty properties in the area, such as the residential development on the old Potterton's site, next to the Portobello Bridge.

There must be other options, than destroying this precious area of our countryside. Please do not go ahead with this development.

I would like to register my objection to the new Proposed Development Plans. It would be unforgivable and irresponsible of planners to damage this area of North Leamington, when there are Brown or White field sites in the area that prove much more appropriate for this project. They owe it to the residents of Leamington Spa, Warwick,Kenilworth and all those who appreciate and enjoy the area. As a young person living in this area, I find it deeply disturbing that areas of land like this are not being protected for future generations to enjoy.

I urge you to reconsider your options for development,

Opposes the District Council's plans to develop green belt land as part of the new local Plan.
I find the Council's plans very concerning due to the proposed level of development on green belt land and also the' extent of the planned development for Warwick, Kenilworth and Leamington overall. By 2029, leamington and Warwick will be almost half as big again.

According to the government statistics based on 2008-figures, the total number of dwellings predicted in the whole of Warwickshire would need to grow by 40 000 until 2028. this level of growth cannot approached in the method currently being proposed. To continue to bolt on great big developments to towns, filling in all open countryside spaces we will end up with endless suburbia which will result in the whole area not being a place people will wish to live in - having been attracted to the area in the first place because it did not display this feeling. The amount of new dwellings requires actual "new town" planning, not constant town extending.
It seems that Warwick District Council is taking on a huge proportion of the required development for Warwickshire as a whole and this is already a very over-populated area. There are less populated areas in the south of the county where potential new sites could be found with good transport accessto the M40. Perhaps something on the lines of Hatton Park, but with some school and service
infrastructure. Once this level of development starts on the green belt around North leamington, what is there to stop a complete in-fill? The village and are of Old Milverton and Blackdown runs the real danger of becoming a scattering of period properties amongst a mass housing estate? This area is used by
many for a variety of recreational purposes - walking, running, dog walking etc. Old Milverton and its surrounding rolling countryside is a rural idyll, not just for those of us who live here but for many residents of North Leamington. People need accessto open space, countryside and fresh air; free of incessant traffic noise and concrete. Development of the scale shown in the plans will be detrimental to the quality of life for people in the area - people who have chosen to live in/close to a small town environment with easy access to countrvslde. We are running out of space!
Also of great concern is the lack of detail information regarding the proposals. The Council has asked for the public to comment on their preferred options - all the plans available to view do not show where the new roads, schools, supermarkets, park and rides etc. are going to be. It is all of the additional elements that will destroy at least half as much green belt again and change the
character, landscape and approach to the North of leamington and Old Milverton areas forever. feel that the Council is collecting public opinion based on information which is not provided the full view of the proposals, which results in opinion on an incomplete proposal set providing inaccurate results.
In 2009 a plan was drawn up to make provision for more dwellings than are being considered in the current plan and there was no requirement for green belt land to be developed. What has changed? Certainly not the role of the green belt, the benefits the green belt offers to residents or the views of residents.
I don't believe that green belt land should be built on when there are other options, particularly when, after building so many homes on green belt, so much more green belt needs to be destroyed for new roads and facilities. There are brown belt sites avanable in South Leamington with good roads and motorway accessall in place and, once again, I believe that development of this size
requires a whole new town planning, otherwise it will swamp our landscape in suburbia. Please re-consider your plans and protect leamington from becoming a faceless suburban sprawl.