Blackdown

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I am writing to oppose the Council's plans to develop on greenbelt land as shown in the 2012 Preferred Options booklet.

I object to building on greenbelt land in Blackdown and Old Milverton, because this area is an asset to Leamington Spa. It is enjoyed by many walkers, runners, and cyclists and should be preserved at all costs.

Aside from this, there will be destruction to wildlife, ruined skyline and a loss of precious English countryside.

I would suggest that other areas could be developed if there is a need for additional housing.

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.

There are plenty of brown field sites that could be used instead. Instead of allowing another supermarker to be built at the Ford Foundry that area should have been considered for housing. Protect the countryside or we wont have any left for the next generations. Be wise about this.

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Objection to Old Milverton and Blackdown site attached electronically. See attachment for full text.

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 ofGreenbelt set out in the NPPF and therefore should remain as openGreenbelt 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 Greenbeltboundaries 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

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It is with great sadness to learn that Leamington residents may lose precious Greenbelt land due to possible development in Old Milverton and Blackdown. In my view this rural landscape is a haven for wildlife and offers unrestricted views whilst providing benefit to families, cycle riders and runners from Leamington and other local residents without the need to get in the car.

There are only a few green spaces left where dog walkers can exercise their pets outside of the Dog Exclusion areas that are now in place in Leamington parks. One of the attractions and assets of Leamington is the proximity of rural areas and footpaths, from the town and residential areas and for this reason alone should be preserved for future generations.

So I'm writing at this time 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 with a little effort and thought they could find other more appropriate sites such as Brown or White field sites.

I look forward to receiving your firm assurances that no development for this area is being planned in the future.

My wife and I wish to lodge our strong opposition to development of houses off Leicester Lane

The prime objection is on the grounds of road safety and further peak time congestion

Leicester Lane is a road where the 40 mph limit is regularly ignored and where, over the years, there have been a number of accidents and near misses as vehicles are hit from behind while waiting to turn into their own drives. My wife was a victim of such an accident when a car crashed into the rear of her car. The police attending the accident esimated that the other vehicle was travelling well in excess of 50 mph

At this present time a police presence would result in large numbers of speeding offences

An increase in the "local" traffic to additional housing would greatly add to this problem and, being a main access route to and from Leamington, would add further to the peak travel time congestion

I am writing to express my disquiet about the proposals in the Local Plan Preferred Options to allocate Green Belt land for development. Green Belt policy has served the nation well for many years.
The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that inappropriate development is harmful to the Green Belt and 'should not be approved except in very special circumstances'. It goes on to say that construction of new buildings should be regarded as inappropriate; a list of exceptions does not include housing or commercial development!
Warwick District Council has not demonstrated 'very special circumstances'; indeed the Authority's own documents show ample suitable land is available without the need to violate the Green Belt. The identification of sites to the south of Leamington as being appropriate is supported by their previous inclusion in the Core Strategy Preferred Options.
I am also very concerned that the Draft Infrastructure Plan includes for the possibility of a completely new road from the vicinity of Old Milverton Lane to the A429/A46 grade separated junction. Again, this would violate Green Belt.
I urge you to oppose this element of the Local Plan Preferred Options proposals and throw your support behind what will surely be an overwhelmingly popular campaign to protect the Green Belt.

I wish to register our objection to the proposed use of green belt land to the north of Leamington for 1980 homes, instead of other non-green belt land, indentified by your own team as "suitable for development"

The Government's Green Belt policy states that Green Belt land should be built upon only "under special circumstances" and only if the benefits of doing so outweigh the inevitable harm done to precious open spaces.

The proposed development on Green Belt land North of Leamington Spa has no such justification.

* Few dispute that new housing is needed, but alternative space for it exists in the non-Green Belt land South of Leamington identified in the 2009 Core Strategy.

* The above option was, I understand, actually adopted by the Council a couple of years ago. It is still viable, it is still available, it is still a far less harmful option.

* The Council argues that the land South of Leamington will be a less attractive option for the developers since they will make smaller profits from it than they would from the Green Belt land to the North of the town. This may constitute "Special Circumstances" for the development companies - but it certainly does not do so for the electorate of Leamington, Kenilworth and Warwick.

* The land that would be encroached upon under the so-called 'Preferred Option' fulfils all five requirements set out by the NPPF for Green Belt land. The new development would, therefore - in addition to depriving thousands of local people of invaluable opportunities for peace, recreation and healthy exercise and irrevocably eroding the very different identities of Leamington Spa and Kenilworth - directly contravene NPPF guidelines.

Is there, honestly, any really good argument for going ahead with the proposed development? It will undoubtedly create more noise, more congestion, more air pollution, more urban blight and, possibly, more (and more serious) flooding. What would we get in return? Little or nothing. Certainly nothing that we can't perfectly well do without.

Please think again and take a fresh look at the South-of-Leamington option.

We live in Fryer Avenue close to the proposed new housing development plans. We are dismayed to see that there is a possibility that new housing will be built on land behind Northumberland Road and Kenilworth Rd. We think this is poor decision making from a planning perspective, for the following reasons

1. It is on Green Belt land, when there is other land available. Because of other available land the exceptional circumstances criterion is not met.
2. The land around Europa way towards Bishops Tachbrook has excellent transport links to the M40 the A46. The Kenilworth Road is already clogged for most of the day and will become worse with the extra traffic these homes will bring.
3. This Green Belt land behind Northumberland and Kenilworth Roads is a local amenity. Our family walks the dog and exercises on its footpaths, this access to the country side will be lost if these homes are built. There are no pubic footpaths on the available land, nor is it used as a public amenity.

We would urge you to focus on where the most appropriate site for these houses are, not simply look and say ,well both north and south Leamington can share any redevelopment. New homes should be built on the available land NOT on Green Belt.

I should like to formally object to the proposals as detailed in the local plan for significant residential, infrastructure and employment uses on the north-west boundaries of Lillington/Blackdown/Old Milverton

My objection is centred on;

a) There is no or little proof of need for additional land for housing over and above current provision.
b) I cannot see that there are exceptional circumstances to develop this portion of the Green belt as there are other more suitable sites (i.e. Europa way) with infrastructure and employment/social facilities heath and education all nearby
c) Notwithstanding the loss of green belt the environmental impact in terms of traffic, , drainage , loss of amenity onto already very heavily congested series of traffic routes would severely impact on the area.

I wish to object to the proposed building of houses and the North Leamington Relief Road in Blackdown and Old Milverton as shown on the Preferred Options Plan. My husband and I are frequent visitors to this area and are very concerned about the effect this proposed development will have on this Green Belt Land. Also we cannot see the reason for having this cross country road plus all the services etc. that go with modern road developments eg. Park and Ride which uses up a lot of valuable green belt land. The A 46 is already a very busy road.

The area is enjoyed by many walkers, runners and cyclists and should be preserved if at all possible. This Green Belt Land prevents Leamington Spa merging with Kenilworth and safeguards the countryside and valuable farming land.

Please explore all other options before going ahead with what appears to be a very expensive project. Are you sure all these houses are required here?

You represent a delightful part of the country please do not spoil it with this proposed urban development.

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

Simply put, I do not understand the need to develop on green belt land when there is plenty of brown belt or non-green belt land that can be developed.

We can see this land from our bedroom windows, so there is the obvious selfish view that we do not want that view to be impared by buildings.

In addition, 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.

Please reconsider your Preferred Options.

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. I personally moved to this part of Leamington as I was attracted to the beautiful landscape. It would be shameful to build here until you have exhausted all alternatives and checked that the number of houses you require is needed!

Having heard about the proposals for massive development of the Greenbelt land in Old Milverton and Blackdown,I should like to state for the record that
I am utterly opposed ,and dare I say it, sickened by the idea.
Our beautiful Greenbelt land north of Leamington acts as a hugely important 'green lung' for the residents of Leamington but also, equally importantly for all the many many species of wildlife that depend upon these spaces for their wellbeing and lives.
The Greenbelt land is an important resource for the local community. It is used on a daily basis by many walkers, and cyclists. Leamington is a beautiful town made more so by our easy access to open countryside. The council say the new plans will incorporate green spaces. Why destroy what is already there just to replace it with a "Synthetic" version of the countryside? Rather, the council should be trying to do everything in its power to permanently protect the greenbelt, not committing atrocious acts of environmental vandalism.
Whilst it is fully understood that we need more housing for the future this should not be allowed to damage and destroy this important buffer zone between Leamington and Kenilworth. More houses ,superstores, roads and amenities will all add drastically to the levels of climate changing greenhouse gas emissions with all the increased traffic and congestion that is the inevitable result of this scheme if it were allowed to go ahead. The tranquillity of the area will be lost forever and not only us but also our children, grandchildren and generations to come will suffer as a result. It will be a gradual encroachment of land whilst more and more of the countryside falls foul of the bulldozers until eventually Leamington and Kenilworth will be joined in the urban sprawl of houses and development.
And does a town the size of Leamington really warrant a park and ride scheme?
The Governments NPPF document states that in order to allow building on greenbelt land to go ahead, councils must demonstrate "exceptional circumstances". They have not done this. There are plenty of Brownfield sites available in Leamington fit for development which would be much more appropriate. For ages the Ford factory site stood empty -why not have built more housing here rather than an unnecessary supermarket? There is derelict land between Queensway and the Shires and many more such sites besides. And what of the old Potterton site? Many of those apartments are still sitting empty due to lack of takers.


The impact on the local wildlife will be devastating. At the moment this land supports hundreds of species including badgers, foxes, pheasants, herons, buzzards and sparrowhawks.There are also water voles living along the banks of the River Avon, these beautiful animals are an endangered species whose numbers have declined by 90% over the last 30 years. If the building of the new relief road goes ahead this inevitably will have a detrimental effect upon the population from which it may never recover.
The fields also support Skylarks. There is nothing more lovely than a summers walk listening to the sounds of larks singing as they rise into the air, the quintessential sound of a British summer. These wonderful birds are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside act 1981, after a 50% decline in numbers of breeding birds over the last 25 years, yet the council seem happy to ignore this fact and decimate the lot.
What also of the many allotments in this area? People have worked hard on these plots to get them fully established. If they are taken away you are stripping people of another much needed green space .We are always talking these days about sustainable living and the importance of people getting more exercise, if you remove the allotments you remove another valuable resource which allows people a chance to really make a difference to their lives and improve their health.
I strongly urge the council to reject this highly inappropriate development and to make a stand to save the Greenbelt not to sacrifice our countryside to the developers.

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.

Please reconsider your Preferred Options.

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Unfortunately today, I have only just become aware of the plans that are proposed for a large area of Leamington and surrounding areas in which I live. This concerns me gravely, it is my belief that the Council have not adequately informed other residents within the areas of Leamington that will be affected, about these proposals, therefore many will remain in ignorance of this proposed plan for such a vast development within the area in which we live .
I am very concerned that the required and desired CONSULTATION of ALL the residents in Leamington has not been correctly or at least fairly adhered to?. Many I believe will still be unware of this extensive land development and the consequences this will have on the intrastructures, highways and byways, life and health of residents; residents like myself who already live here, have in good faith, duely paid taxes in the expectation that the Councils and Planning authorities wil work on our behalf with our best interests; as individuals and a community to which they have a duty of care. It is also my concern rightly or wrongly; that this proposal for some reason, is not only being pushed through very quickly but without the proper notifcation of ALL residents.
I object to the proposed development in Old Milverton and Blackdown contained in Warwick District Councils's Preferred Options for the Local plan. There are several reasons for my objections in no particular order:
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.
Health: Leamington I understand rightly or wrongly is one of the highest areas of air pollution in the country, therefore it would seem advisable to endeavour to prevent illnesses, and maintain the health of a population and not to introduce vast building developments, highways and vehicles, buildings. etc., that such a proposed development would bring.
There are of course other more subtle problems that over development and not keeping green belt land causes; societies loose identity, crime may well worsen, also please be aware that the population does not only grow by the number of houses, but by the number of people in the houses. This is therefore a VASTER development than it would first seem.
Consequently, with Greenbelt development now and in the future; there is nowhere left for anyone to exercise, enjoy open spaces, no where to live!
Please reconsider your Preferred Options.

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I wish to strongly object to the development of leicester lane green belt on the below grounds.

1. This is high value green belt land, you have other land in the south available.
2. You do not need this level of housing as of the next 12 years you will have many brown field sites become available as well as many student houses as they are going to purpose built developments and nationally there is a decrease in student numbers so many more properties are being handed back to the community as landlords are unable to rent them to students.
3. This is urban sprawl and against policy.
4. You will have an over supply of housing if this number goes ahead which is economically disastrous for Leamington.
5. There is no infrastructure to sustain this development.
6. Mr Cameron has stated he wants a reduction in the number of social housing being built when this becomes policy many millions of pounds will have been wasted , which is criminal in these economic times.

Good afternoon. I was setting aside this afternoon to compose my response but have just had sight of the excellent submission by Friends of the Earth. Anything I could write I'm sure would not be a patch on this correspondence, therefore I would like to add my wholehearted support to the sentiments expressed in that submission.
I would also like to say that I believe that the areas of Blackdown and Old Milverton really are very special areas of Green Belt and would be significantly harmed by any more development in those areas.