Blackdown

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 Greenbelt 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 five purposes of Greenbelt set out in the NPPF and therefore should remain as open Greenbelt Land. 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

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 Stategy). 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.

We object to the development of the land to the north of Leamington, and disagree that it is suitable for development for the following reasons that we believe to be 'Good Planning Evidence':

1. It is valuable amenity land for the residents of North Leamington for exercise and recreation in an area where there is very little open space. Green spaces and access to the countryside are a priority of the Council and are hugely important to the people of Leamington.

2.The proposed area is currently designated as green belt land, and this should not be developed if there is other land that is suitable for development. This has been identified east of the A452 and south of Heathcote. I am not persuaded that the Council have demonstrated the 'exceptional circumstances' required for Green Belt development.

3. There appears to be an over-provision of housing resulting from the Council relying on population projections from a past period of exceptional growth.

4. This development will lead to Leamington, Old Milverton and Kenilworth merging into one another creating 'coalescence of urban areas'. This would lead to a loss of the individual town's identities.

5. The current infrastructure of North Leamington cannot support the new development, and any attempt to rectify this problem would result in more investment and additional development, taking up even more green belt land, and causing furthre destruction of the countryside. It would seem to me that development to the south of the town is a much more sensible option, with the travel infrastructure of the M40, and the railway station in closer proximity.

We believe that the development plans are seriously flawed and we strongly object. We have two children aged 8 and 6. We walk in the countryside of North Leamington almost every day. If this development goes ahead then access to the countryside will be ruined for them and for future generations. And once green belt land is built on, it is destroyed forever. When the concept of Green Belt land was first conceived, it was to prevent exactly the sort of urban sprawl that has been suggested in the development plan. We cannot simply go on forever expanding our towns into the countryside. We have to think smarter.

I would like to register my objection to the development of the Green Belt land around Old Milverton and the surrounding area in North Leamington.

I do not live in Old Milverton, but like many others I have always believed that land which is designated as 'Green Belt' has been deemed as such because there are very good reasons for preserving its characteristics for the good of all, and resisting development in those green belt areas should always be paramount.
However, it would seem that the Council, despite having other land in the South of Leamington, which is not in the Green Belt and has already been identified as developable in 2009, have chosen to ignore all the reasons for which the land between Leamington and Old Milverton was made 'Green Belt' in the first place.
The proposals ignore Warwick District Council's study of the Green Belt land at Old Milverton and Blackdown, which concluded that these areas had high Green Belt value.
The Green belt land at Blackdown and Old Milverton not only provides a barrier to the merging of the towns of Kenilworth and Leamington, enabling them to retain their character and individuality, it provides a much needed space in which to enjoy nature, the simple opportunity to walk in the countryside in an already crowded county. There are few opportunities left in this part of Warwickshire to enjoy rural charm and quaintness, but the fields, lanes, countryside and riverbanks here provide many of them. This plan destroys those opportunities and despoils the attractive northern entrance into our elegant Regency town. What does the use of this Green Belt land portend for the remaining fields and river banks?

What can we expect if this proposed plan goes ahead?
* More congestion on expensive new roads.
* Beautiful countryside replaced by sprawling housing estates and to compensate all the walkers, runners, riders, and cyclists who enjoy it, a park.
* The eventual merging of Old Milverton, Leamington and even perhaps Kenilworth.
* 3,000 houses north of Leamington increasing traffic flows on a duel carriageway stoppered at both ends by the two towns at immense cost and causing increased congestion.
* 28 million spent on a Northern 'relief' road which will encourage further development in the Green Belt up to the new road, encroach on the riverbank and take trade away from the already beleaguered town centres.
* Out of town stores further depleting opportunities for independant retailers who make our towns attractive places to visit.



The Government's National Planning Policy Framework requires there to be "very special circumstances" for development in the Green Belt. It also requires the harm caused to the Green Belt by the development to be outweighed by the benefit of the development.
According to Warwick District Council the 'special circumstances' required to encroach on designated Green Belt areas are that there is nowhere else for the homes to be built.
The land in South Warwickshire is still available. It is close to the M40, there are existing employment facilities, out of town shopping facilities and good access to the town centres. Why then not use it, and why is it necessary to develop the Green Belt at great further expense and the loss of a beautiful part of Warwickshire?

I strongly object to these proposals . reasons below

It's green belt land .

Infrastructure poor through Leamington .

Building on this natural draining land will cause more flooding as this area drains slowly into the river .

South Leamington with its direct access to the m40 is the simple option .

28 million pounds for a relief road is a wild guess it will cost much more that this .

Leamington will lose its appeal . it will become another urban sprawl .

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Leamington Spa Green Belt
I received some information to state there is a proposed development site for new housing in North Leamington Spa. It seems such a shame that our beautiful countryside could be affected by this when it does seem there are other areas better suited to this (a potential alternative highlighted was an area in South Leamington Spa).
If there are no boundaries between each town, they will literally start merging together as one very large town.
Our beautiful countryside currently has the affectionate name of 'Leafy Warwickshire'. When talking to people who have spent any time in the local area, they always state how lovely and green it is. I fear that if the development goes ahead the area will lose that positive reputation and many visitors and local people will no longer be able to enjoy the natural surroundings.
The area is currently in danger of losing some of the natural habitat due to the proposed HS2 - can we really afford to lose any more of the countryside?
Many thanks for reading this letter. I hope you reconsider the plans for the green belt area.

I wish to register the strongest possible objection to the development of Green Belt land to the north of Leamingon Spa for the following reasons.

1 The calculations of the number of new houses necessary in Leamington are based on past figures and are therefore unreliable.
Hundreds of units of accommodation for students have recently been developed in Leamington, which will surely reduce the need for extra housing, as houses currently rented by students become available to the general public. It is only a few years since it was very difficult to sell flats in Leamington. because there were so many (200 at one time) on the market.

2 The green belt area which is proposed for development is used by many families for recreation, and is greatly valued.

3 A new major highway through Old Milverton, which would be necessary to service the proposed development would terminate in the Rugby Road just before it joins the Emscote Road, which is already a notorious bottleneck.

4 Using the Green Belt for development sets a precedent and, once done, is irreversible. Future generations will not thank us for it.

Objections to the New Local Plan
All reasonable people we have spoken to are shocked at the proposed destruction of the Green Belt to the north of Leamington - the words 'sacrosanct ' and ' lungs of England ' come up constantly.
 Government's National Planning Policy requires very special circumstances for building in the Green Belt. There is non - Green Belt land available to the south of Leamington already identified. This land will almost certainly be developed within the next 5 years (Government's presumption for development) irrespective of green belt development. Logically it appears we can vandalise our green belt in order to save the south from development which is bound to happen anyway. So the Council's argument is totally flawed and will lead to greater urban sprawl to the North and South of the town.

 There is no employment available to the North and scattering two developments, of approximately 1000 each, in fields will result in 2 non -sustainable areas being used as dormitories with a subsequent increase in traffic on the already busy roads. The £28M road through Old Milverton is surely the most absurd and wickedly destructive suggestion .

 It is widely accepted that 2500 houses in one area are needed for a self sustaining centre.

 We have taken a census of the number of people using the green belt for recreation. On sunny weekends families and other groups and runners numbering around 80 - 90 each day can be seen using the Bamburgh Grove access alone. Are Councillors aware of this? Or perhaps they don't care! Everybody loves Leamington , and rightly so. To deface its precious green Belt diminishes the town's attractivity and uniqueness.

To sum up the Proposals included in the New Local Plan do not comply with stated Government policy - they flout common sense as the South will be developed anyway. They will vandalise Old Milverton and the lovely northern entry in to the town which will result eventually in Leamington and Kenilworth being joined. Has nobody learned from the mistake of Leaminton/ Warwick urban sprawl?

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I wish to vigourously object to the building on green belt land in Blackdown and Old Milverton.

The Government's National Planning Policy Framework requires there to be "very special circumstances" for development in the Green Belt and for the harm created to the Green Belt to be outweighed by the benefit of the development. Those special circumstances are apparently that there is nowhere else for the homes to be built. In the "2009 Core Strategy" (the previous plan adopted by Wawick District Council) land South of Leamington was identified, and is still available, for development. This land is east of the A452 Europa Way and south of Heathcote towards Bishops Tachbrook. The assessment performed by Warwick District Council shows that this land is easier to develop and already has a substantial amount of infrastructure to support it. It is close to the M40 and there are existing employment opportunities South of Leamington.
* The previous plan is direct evidence that there are alternative areas for development other than the Green Belt. Warwick District Council argues that the land in the South of Leamington is not as attractive to developers because the concentration of development in that area may result in the developers making less profit. Consideration of the developers' financial gain is not a "very special circumstance" to permit unnecessary development in the Green Belt. The policy of "spreading it around" again is not planning policy but a political one. Thus the legality of the councils desicion making process comes into serious question.
* The proposals ignore Warwick District Council's Green Belt Study of the land at Old Milverton and Black Down which concluded that these areas had high Green Belt value.

* Green Belt land is specifically set aside to prevent urban sprawl, stop towns merging together and protect the country side setting of historic towns. The proposals will reduce the" Green Lung" between Leamington and Kenilworth to less than 1 1/2 miles encouraging the merger of these two towns and their loss of independent identities.
* Turning the A452 between Leamington and Kenilworth in to dual carriage way will not help traffic flows. At peak times the delays on the A452 result from commuters wanting access to the Town centres.
* The proposals will have a detrimental effect on the picturesque northern gateways to Leamington and Kenilworth, it will change the character of Leamington for ever,.
* A "Northern Relief Road" (budgeted cost £28m) is not required. The traffic flows tend to be north; south rather than east; west. The road will serve no purpose other than to take new home owners quickly on to the A46 and to jobs and shopping opportunities away from our Towns.
* A "Northern Relief Road" will form a natural barrier and encourage further development in the green belt up to this new road. It will need to be built across the flood plain (at considerable cost) and will violate an important nature corridor along the River Avon.
* The proposed "out of town" retail operations will 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.
* There will be a loss of a significant amount of high quality agricultural land in Black Down and Old Milverton
* The land at Old Milverton and Blackdown has substantial amenity value and is presently enjoyed by a great many walkers, runner, riders, and cyclists.
It provides a countryside environment close to the centres of Leamington and Warwick. Both the proposed building development and the "Northern Relief Road" would substantially reduce the amount of land that is available to enjoyed and have a detrimental impact on the ambience and hence the amenity value of the land. Turning some of it into a maintained park would detract from rather than enhance its value. There is no infrastructure problems to the previous chosen development sites in South Leamington.
* Warwick District Council has included a "buffer" of 1400 homes in the number of houses that it believes will be necessary between now and 2026. If this "buffer" is removed from the assumptions there is no need to include the land at Old Milverton and Black Down in the proposals. There has been in recent years an exceptional growth in Leamingtons population partly because of Europe. However this has now levelled of. There are not hundreds and thousands of homeless people sleeping in the streets of Leamington at night, so I seriously question the need for development of such a scale. The prime minister recently stated that people should no longer except free housing there friends and family should assist, by carrying out such a development the council is not working to the spirit of what the Prime Minister is saying, I for one will be writing to him to inform him of this. Further more there has been an extra approximately 500 student beds places created/about to be created in Leamington in purpose built buildings this year alone. This means talking to local agents that small houses are now not being rented by students and about an extra 100 5 bed homes are sitting empty this year, they are going to be either rented out to private tenants or DSS tenants or sold of private individuals or families, I feel the council has missed the point that about 500 extra beds spaces houses will be available this to the community, as student population is down by about 10% this year nationally, furthermore with the increase in fees this year, there is likely to be an even further decrease in the student population freeing up more housing.


To summarise I am objecting on the below grounds

1. Local amenity taking away our local open public space
2. Green belt, not adhering to policy when you have already suitable land for development.
3. Over provision of housing, as the sires previously declared suitable will inevitably be still developed, and student houses becoming available.
4. Coalescence of urban sprawl, towns will soon be close together losing their identities, which makes Leamington so special
5. Infrastructure. No need to spend £28 million on new road when there is infrastructure in place at the previous south Leamington sites declared suitable

This is to register our strong objection to the WDC Preferred Option to develop the Greenbelt North of Leamington Spa in Old Milverton and Blackdown.

This is not only entirely against the NPPF but also ignores the previously planned development in the 2009 Core Strategy. The latter (non-Greenbelt) location has both employment opportunities and infra structure which is able to be developed more economically than the Greenbelt area.

There is no evidence for any "very special circumstances" to develop the Greenbelt as an already proposed alternative exists.

Please re-consider your Preferred Options.

Whilst I recognise the need for development and change I have some concerns about Warwick District Council's Local Plan. My concerns relate mainly to the proposal to build on Green Belt land to the north of Leamington. The NPPF highlights the importance of Green Belt land and seeks to protect it. It states that building should only take place under special or exceptional circumstances. It seems that Warwick D.C. is proposing to make Green Belt land available for development without establishing or indentifying these exceptional circumstances. In fact, the reality is that alternative non green belt land is available but the proposal is rejecting this. The existence of this alternative land surely means that no exceptional circumstances exist to justify the development on Green Belt land and means the proposal runs counter to the guidance in the NPPF.
Further to this, in the "Local Plan Preferred Options" document, it is indicated that the estimate for the number of new homes includes a buffer of 1370. If this proves to be an accurate figure then it would become impossible to justify developing the Green Belt land at Old Milverton and Blackdown, especially when there is identified spare capacity on land to the south of Leamington.
It would seem that the choice to build at Old Milverton and Blackdown is not based on necessity but on convenience. Concentrating development on non Green Belt sites to the south would require greater imagination in ensuring appropriate infrastructure and transportation links but is not impossible and would enable us to preserve an invaluable environmental resource to the north of the town.

The proposal to build a northern relief road is also problematic. The bulk of traffic movement in this area is north-south and congestion is associated with access to the town centre. It is difficult to see how providing an east-west route would alleviate town traffic problems but it would involve further, significant erosion of the Green Belt. It is claimed that a northern relief road would reduce congestion on 'through routes' between Leamington and Warwick town centres. The M40 to the south and the A46 to the north already provide alternative routes between the two town centres so this third option would only benefit residents of the proposed Old Milverton and Blackdown developments. It is likely that if this road is built it will at some point in the future simply establish a new boundary which will encourage/catalyse further development on Green Belt land.
The land at Old Milverton and Blackdown is an accessible stretch of countryside and is enjoyed by many. It is has huge amenity value and improves the quality of the environment for many people. The proposed developments would have a devastating impact on an area which contributes greatly to the character of the region.
If development must proceed in this area and there is no possible alternative then it should be as a last resort and should only take place in Phase 3 of the plan.

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Dear Sir, I object to the proposed development in Old Milverton and Blackdown as detailed in Warwick District Councils' preferred option for the local plan. The land in question has great recreational value to the local community - being used and enjoyed by many walkers, cyclists, and runners. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that the Government attaches great importance to the Greenbelts - they are designed to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open. Old Milverton's fulfils the 5 purposes of Greenbelt as set out by the NPPF and should remain open forever. It prevents the unrestricted urban 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 the historic town of Royal Leamington Spa; helps urban regeneration by encouraging recycling of derelict and other urban land. There are other sites and plenty of empty properties which can be developed, which are not in the Greenbelt. These sites have already been included in the Warwick District Councils' 2009 Core Strategy Plan. The infrastructure and employment opportunities are already in place and these options should be used in preference to the Greenbelt. The NPPF states that only in exceptional circumstances should Greenbelt be used. There are no exceptional circumstances which outweigh the harm caused by altering the Greenbelt bounderies in Old Milverton and Blackdown and allowing development of this land. Please reconsider your preferred option.

I would like to register my strong objection 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 five purposes of Greenbelt set out in the NPPF and therefore should remain as open Greenbelt land forever. Specifically, 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

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.

The proposal to develop on land around the blackdown area of leamington can only be described as ridiculous. Green belt areas play an important role. As a family that enjoys taking a walk each week through the fields and going to see the horses in the field it is a crime to think that this can be taken away. Leamington is a beautiful town dominated by elegant white buildings and beautiful surroundings. With development in the blackdown area there will be very little to seperate one town from another. Very soon Warwick, leamington and kenilworth will become one big mass of houses with no identity of their own.
Leamington may not offer all of the facilities that many towns and cities have but it should be proud of the fact it has open countryside where you can take time out away from the stresses of life and enjoy the greenery and open area with the children. A walk around a housing estate is nothing like a walk across fields. School nature homework projects will never be the same again.

It is a great tragedy that anyone who loves Leamington could even consider destroying this green belt area.

I object to the proposed development in Old Milverton and Blackdown contained in Warwick District Councils'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 (a historic town)
* 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.

Logic and rationale aside, finally, this area is loved by all the residents as it is and provides great pleasure to this very close community. Given the more appropriate development sites I truly hope that the voices of this community are heard and that you reconsider this disasterous proposal. Please reconsider your Preferred Options.

Old Milverton Redevelopment

This is my letter of objection 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 !

Local Plan

We object to the choice of Milverton and Blackdown as preferred sites for new housing because:

1. They are in the Green Belt and specifically in the narrow Green Belt between Kenilworth and Leamington. There cannot be shown to be a need to build here as there are other sites not in the Green Belt which are available.

2. There is an obligation to prevent urban sprawl and allowing development in this area, for which there are already several large developments proposed (Coventry Gateway, HS2, continuing development at the University, Stoneleigh Park and Abbey Park) would destroy the valuable rural environment which maintains the spatial integrity of the small villages (Leek Wootton, Hill Wootton, Old Milverton, Stoneleigh, Ashow and Stareton).

3. The proposed new road necessitated by the developments would negatively impact the area towards Guys Cliffe. In a period of Council cut backs one would need to question the wisdom of proposing such a costly project especially when considering how much the Rugby relief road ran over budget.

4. A traffic model to consider the combined impacts of all the developments proposed for this area is urgently required before any of them are given the go ahead. We are advised that this has not been carried out. The traffic congestion in Stoneleigh is already unacceptable at peak times and this must be taken into consideration before any further development in the greenbelt is permitted.

We object to the size of the proposed development at Thickthorn.
1. Whilst it has long been acknowledged that the area up to the A46 would be a possible location for housing, the extension of this site to now include the Rugby Club and the cricket club land is not acceptable. It is essential that these facilities remain close to the population to permit access by foot and cycles and to reduce the need for motor car use.

2. There have been problems with flooding in Ashow caused by the run off from the existing housing on this side of Kenilworth and the drainage off the A46. Measures proposed to solve this existing problem have still not been fully implemented. Further development, on any scale, cannot be permitted until a full assessment of the drainage requirements has been carried out.

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