The revised Local Plan includes a reduction in the number of new homes from 945 per year over a twenty-year period to 816 over 18 years. This not only seems arbitrary, but when factoring in the 10% ?flexibility uplift? and including those developments recently completed, currently under construction, or with plans already agreed, any real reduction is questionable. Simply building more homes will not solve the housing crisis, affordability is the real issue. The problem of empty homes should be addressed. The plan does not consider the impact of an ageing population on the need for new homes. Joined up thinking regarding housing need required with neighbouring authorities.

Undoubtedly a need for affordable housing as well as for smaller homes for first time buyers, older people and single people ? however developers find ways not to deliver these. Developer assessments relating to viability must be made public. New homes must meet minimum space standards and build quality requirements. The need for smaller homes is exacerbated by planning laws allowing extension of existing dwellings and inserting more floors into bungalows.

Already intolerable road congestion in Warrington. Existing routes are not fit for purpose and will be made worse by the plan. Extremely disappointing that the aim by 2041 is to reduce car travel by just 14% from 2011 levels. Drastic overhaul of public transport/green transport initiatives is required to meet the needs of the plan. The Warrington Transport Plan has some good ideas but too vague. The proposed housing and employment areas will also contribute to increased pollution. There is an opportunity here within the Local Plan for Warrington to become a leader in re-planning infrastructure with a deliberate emphasis on the reduction of vehicle traffic and motor generated pollution

Employment opportunities created by both the housing and the industrial developments will be aimed predominantly at low wage workers. The new homes will not be affordable to most of them as the affordability calculation takes no account of real local wages. Consequently, the majority of workers will be forced to travel from outside regions. This will further contribute to traffic congestion and pollution.

Warrington Borough Council?s proposal to build on Green Belt land is wholly unacceptable and is not a viable solution to the housing crisis. Warrington Borough Council?s priority should be to source suitable brownfield sites and focus on community-led schemes of genuinely affordable housing, including a higher provision of social housing.

The Green Belt within the Warrington area is home to a huge variety of local wildlife, including rare and protected species. These green spaces provide local habitats and corridors for the safe movement of our wildlife. Whilst the Local Plan gives some consideration to biodiversity, the proposals to build on Green Belt will ultimately result in wiping out many species, not only destroying local biodiversity but decimating species which are vital to food production. We are already feeling the impact of dwindling numbers of bees and insects through destruction of flora. Warrington has a unique opportunity to become a leader in this area in following the principles of COP 15 Convention on Biological Diversity that deals with the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of nature.

Not only does Green Belt act as a carbon sink and protect our water supply by filtering nitrate from the soil, but it also provides drainage space for water to prevent flooding, Building on green spaces with impermeable surfaces exacerbates surface water flooding. Properly managed green spaces can act as critical flood management systems by providing space for managed flooding, protecting built up areas. Green Belt is now more in important than ever.