Publication Draft

I am writing on behalf of the Finham Residents Association. Following a Committee Meeting last night we would like to voice our support for the Warwick District Council Local Plan as it is presented currently for consultation. It is advanced in its planning in that it sets out to meet the housing needs of the area in an integrated way by ensuring that any development is restricted to 50 houses.
The late proposal put forward by Councillor Lynette Kelly prospective Labour Candiddate for Warwick and Leamington which was followed by a letter from Coventry City Council offering the land at Kings Hill has taken local residents by surprise. No indication of this proposal was given to our Association or indeed to our three Ward Councillors. We are completely opposed to this proposal and have the written support of our local MP Mr Jim Cunningham who will be contacting you.
In the Coventry Core Strategy of 2009 a similar proposal was put forward to build 3500 houses on the Coventry owned land within Warwickshire. This was vehemently opposed by local residents with support from Keresley, Longford, Cromwell Lane, Ash Green and Bedworth. A local petition gained 4000 signatures and our MP Jim Cunningham arranged for us to present it to the Housing Minister at the House of Commons. We have 1931 houses in Finham and the infrastructure is already at its limits. To add 5000 houses, the size of a small town, next to Finham would serve neither Warwick nor Coventry well.
The Green belt land provides a buffer between Kenilworth and Coventry and if this will be eroded by this proposal. We would become joined and the unique identity of two areas would be lost.
We have always enjoyed a good working relationship with Warwick District Council and hope that you will not be moved to alter your Local Plan by the late proposal from Councillor Lynette Kelly .
If we can assist in any way to further this discussion please feel free to contact us.

Yours sincerely
Bob Fryer
President Finham Residents Association.