WHAT SORT OF HOUSING DO WE NEED IN WARWICK DISTRICT ? (Warwick & Leamington Liberal Democrats)

Warwick & Leamington Liberal Democrats <info@warwick-leamington-libdems.org.uk>

WHAT SORT OF HOUSING DO WE NEED IN WARWICK DISTRICT ?

July 14, 2005 6:59 PM

Local councillors have discussed this issue and are now proposing a new policy which aims to restrict housing growth in this area. They want not only to protect the green belt but to limit the number of new homes in our towns.

This move reflects the agreement councils have reached across the West Midlands that new development should be concentrated in the cities of Coventry and Birmingham rather than the Shire counties, so that people will be able to live near their place of work and avoid the need to commute.Warwick District has already reached its quota of new homes and is likely to seriously exceed the required number by 2011 - hence the new policy.

The Council did not decide to stop all new build, because there is a dire need for affordable homes in this area. So low cost homes for sale or rent will be allowed along with development in regeneration areas such as Leamington Old Town, new flats over shops, homes which are part of larger town centre redevelopment and homes which meet a very local need in large villages.

This policy is currently out for consultation, and we expect it to be available for use by the planning committee in September. This should enable us to refuse schemes where developers wish to demolish current housing to cram more on the site for the private market, but we will still be able to give the go ahead to schemes for much needed affordable homes.

If you would like to comment formally on the proposals, the Supplementary Planning Document on Managing Housing Supply is available from the Council Offices in Riverside House, Milverton Hill, Leamington Spa or on the Council's website.

All comments should be sent to John Archer at the same address.

Alternatively you can contact me at mbegg@warwickdc.gov.uk or on tel 01926 423822. I should be interested to hear your views.