Green belt earmarked for development

Warwick District Council is considering green belt land between the University and Westwood Heath Road as a possible site for housing development.

Several sites, including Westwood Heath, have been put to the Council by landowners in response to the Council’s previous list of “preferred options” for development, and these new sites will be open for public consultation from 26th February.

After this consultation, the Council will reflect upon the sites themselves. This move towards development has been made in order to help the Council achieve its housing growth targets set by the West Midlands Regional Assembly, aiming to dramatically increase the amount of housing in and around Coventry by 2026.

Gary Stevens, the leader of Warwick’s planning policy team, told the Coventry Telegraph: “These aren’t additional housing numbers, these are potential alternatives and the council hasn’t taken a view on these sites yet.”

The planning is still in the early stages, and the Council is encouraging residents to play a part in the decision making process.

Stevens continued: “We want to make sure people are aware that these proposals have been put to the council and have the chance to inform the decision-making process.”

Despite reassurance, some people are still wary about the possibility of development on the green belt, an area designed to safe guard green space around towns.

David Skinner, the Councillor for Westwood, said on the issue: “If any large scale development were to go ahead it could greatly reduce the green space barrier between Coventry and Kenilworth and make the whole place much more urban.”

In response to these anxieties, the Council website states: “The council has made it clear, however, that if it was to ever consider releasing Green Belt land, it would not wish to see the merging of any towns that are currently separated by Green Belt.”

Students at Warwick have mixed opinions about this development. A first year student, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I don’t think the development will really affect me, as at the moment it’s not definite. Having said that, I don’t think there should be building on a green belt site – it will be damaging to the wildlife and the beauty of the area.” A Westwood resident said: “If new houses are built, it may reduce greenery near Westwood and make the whole area feel more cramped.”

Any students who are concerned about the possibility of this building work can have their say at the consultation, which will last six weeks from 26th February.

When questioned about this potential development, the University did not offer the Boar a comment.