Issue and Options 2023

We would like to express our concern over any development of the Green Belt north of Leamington and the potential threat that this poses for our allotment site. Any development of the Green Belt sets a dangerous precedent that could conceivably result in building & housing development on or around our site in the future. Established in 1920, we're a 150+ member Society with our members tending 165 plots. Our membership represents a broad cross-section of society, young & old, with many plots worked by not only individual members but their partners, their children, their grand children. The benefits of allotment gardening cannot, in our view, be underestimated in terms of physical & mental health well-being. Environmental benefits are also vitally important both in terms of wildlife but also the growing of local produce with virtually no carbon footprint. The five stated purposes of Green Belt land are to: 1) Check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas 2) Prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another 3) Assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment 4) Preserve the setting and special character of historic towns 5) Assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land. In our view the consultation document completely fails to consider adequately these core principles and ignores the legitimate function served by the Green Belt. We would strongly suggest that the Council explore alternative options for housing development rather than destroying this part of south Warwickshire.