Please rethink this plan for 350 new homes

Glorious Gloucestershire Esmond Lane took this picture on a foggy day in Winchcombe

I strongly object to the proposal to build 350 homes on land in Leckhampton currently used as farm land and as smallholdings.

Although I understand that agreement for a development such as this was put forward during the Joint Core Strategy many years ago, so much has changed since.

We need to consider above all else the whole future for our generations and generations to come and we know now that care for the planet must come first, if not there will be little need for houses at all.

As the last piece of agricultural land still in the centre of Leckhampton, with the new secondary school and more and more housing planned on nearby green spaces, this piece should be made use of as lightly as possible.

To a certain extent, this application from Miller Homes is sensitive to the issue and attempts to provide allotments and play areas, footpaths and cycle routes but still seems unaware of real climate change crisis.

The community already make full use of the area for sport, walking and for dogs, looking at nature - all kinds of wildlife needs the trees, hedges, fields, the peace away from development.

If this land is covered over, local families in their cars will be forced to drive elsewhere for their fresh air and exercise, something very much against the efforts towards sustainability and the health of our environment as a whole.

With the new school and new families in other new housing developments on both sides of Kidnappers Lane, it would seem essential to keep a “green experience” close to these and other local families.

Ideally something would be set-up with a strong community and educational bias, perhaps in partnership with the developers, the schools, the church and the community to protect, manage and enhance the smallholdings and educate us all.

I have three specific points to make: 1. Could the use of hard standing be forbidden - water run-off must be able to sink back into the earth’s surface, the water table across the globe is dangerously low and the expense and environmental damage involved in processing the water is huge and wasteful.

2. Surely ‘gas boilers’ will be outdated almost as soon as any houses are ready for occupation?

3. Do the houses run enough on truly low energy, are they as towards being a ‘passive house’ as they should be?

If a planning decision could consider less density, perhaps fewer than 250 houses, there might be some chance to make better provision for protecting a major part of this area.

It should be noted that there is no provision for even one retail space - local shops help build a community.

Post Covid, we are in a new era, it is a real opportunity to re-think priorities and decide on a different, better, more sustainable way forward.

Caroline Davis