URGENT – LOCAL FIELDS TARGETED, UP TO 1,650 HOUSES IN NEW PLANS - RESPONSE NEEDED BY 12th FEB

The public consultation on the Joint Core Strategy (JCS) as envisaged by the Planners from Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Cheltenham ENDS ON SUNDAY 12TH FEBRUARY 2012. Their plans for the future of the region to 2031 include up to 40,500 houses to be built, much on open countryside and Greenbelt.  Four Options suggested (see below).

On the Leckhampton and Shurdington lands it would mean up to 1,650 houses, putting thousands of extra vehicles feeding into Cheltenham on the already heavily congested Shurdington and Church Roads. It would mean the loss of green fields, presently accessible for families and future generations to enjoy, and the removal forever of precious wildlife and agricultural land, which could prove invaluable in the future. This would be the largest change to the area since Sir John Giffard built Leckhampton Court and the Chapel in the 14th century...

Cheltenham Borough Councillors are unanimous in their rejection of the JCS plan to build on Greenbelt at Swindon Village and open countryside at Leckhampton.

MP Martin Horwood made an impassioned speech at the LEGLAG Public Meeting on Friday 20th January, ‘we need homes for young people and for growing families, and we need jobs in expanding businesses, but this must not be at the expense of our natural and historic environment’ ... ‘unsurprisingly, the most valued and used green space is that closest to where we live’,

Leckhampton is well connected to the town and for all to enjoy.  Jonathan Porritt, prominent environmentalist and authority on Sustainable Development, made the very important point, ‘the JCS questionnaire is wrong to imply that protection of the environment and economic prosperity are incompatible’.

• Building on the Leckhampton/Shurdington lands will put a strain on local services and will add even more congestion and air pollution to our heavily congested roads.  Already, due to worsening air quality, the whole town has been made an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA)
• More housing development will further increase the pressure on local Secondary schools.  Bournside and Balcarras schools are already heavily oversubscribed
• The Leckhampton/Shurdington lands represent a valuable farming resource.  Local businesses could provide increased food production, including livestock, arable, fruit and vegetables with the provision of a Showcase City Farm

Please support option A, or your own variation of option A.  This is Brownfield development which will support the council policy of continued town regeneration.

There is no case for building on the Greenbelt and open Countryside on the basis of untested population and housing need estimates.

PLEASE REPLY BY USING THE EXAMPLE BELOW BY LETTER OR EMAIL TO THE ADDRESS GIVEN FOR JCS.  ALSO, PLEASE ASK ALL OTHER HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS AND FRIENDS TO RESPOND.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Q1  What do YOU think is the way forward on the number and location of NEW HOUSES ?

1. By building on derelict sites in the town, more regeneration, allow small developments in villages where needed and wanted by residents, 16,200 houses or less - Option A
2. By building on Open Countryside and the Greenbelt FIRST - 33,200 to 40,500 houses Option B, C or D

Q2  Are there any areas you would protect from development and why? ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
NAME                         send to JCS TEAM, Municipal Offices, Cheltenham, GL50 9SA
(Required)                    by SUNDAY 12th Feb. 5pm.  (or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
ADDRESS                    
(Required)