BASE HEADER

Dear Sir
I wish to formally lodge my concerns regarding the proposed development of land around Hatton Park for dwellings and the nearby travelling site, and therefore oppose any forms of planning application in this matter.
Reasons for my opposition are simple and plain.
* The importance of the Green Belt, which all land around Hatton Park is currently in,
* The fact that the 2006 Planning Inquiry concluded that the boundaries of Hatton Park should be retained in the face of petitions to remove parts of the boundary from the Green Belt, citing that "Hatton Park has reached its natural boundaries" and "the development is balanced",
* The current principle that development in the Green Belt is possible only in exceptional circumstances (this is national policy under Planning Policy Guidance - PPG - 2),
* That the current Local Plan only allows development in rural areas that has a clear and direct local need, and only exceptionally in the Green Belt,
* That protected trees must remain so (the 'Dorsington site' contains a protected oak tree)
* That Smith's Covert (the wood on the right as you drive up the Charingworth Drive) is protected woodland.


In my opinion substantial additional housing, while desirable where affordable in the current economic climate, is likely to place excessive pressure on services, utilities, drainage, transport, education. I also believe the A4177 is showing signs of excessive congestion at peak times. It goes without saying that further expansion of Hatton Park will also diminish the rural characteristics which attracted many of us here in the first place.