Land to be built on is inaccessible to the public

IN response to Cllr. D. Bill and D. Mayne’s comments, regarding the Horiba MIRA development, some inferences need to be corrected.

The area in question, is within the MIRA proving ground confines, inaccessible to the public and on the periphery of the repositioned battlefield, comprising 0.5% of the battle area. Historic England, the professional body charged with assessing historical importance, determined the area to be historically insignificant and unworthy of protection.

The battlefield was re-sited relatively recently, due to imprecise information, when previously, the area to be developed was of no interest. £26m of government funding is further confirmation of its necessity. Cllrs were right to approve it, given the correct facts on which to base their decision. Crucially important research, vital to the future of one of our biggest employment and export earning industries is imperative. MIRA had already offered to contribute to improving battlefield centre facilities, which would not have been offered, had there been no need for this development, and they will be employing archeological expertise when moving earth.

It is surprising, Cllr Bill and D. Mayne, concerned for local heritage, have not joined the museum heritage bus trips, to widen their knowledge. Stanley Rooney