Rt
Hon Eric Pickles
Secretary
of State for Communities & Local Government
Eland
House
Bressenden
Place
London
SW1E 5DU
Dear
Mr Pickles
Re:
Planning Appeal No: APP/U3935/A/11/2155834
Land
at Dayhouse Lane, Coate, Swindon.
Your
planning inspector, Geoffrey Hill, will be completing his report of the
Planning Inquiry held in November 2011. I support Swindon Borough Council's
reasons to refuse planning permission for building on the appeal site and hope
that you will too. The countryside at Coate and Badbury Wick is greatly valued
and significant for many reasons that include the following:
-
the landscape setting of Coate Water Country Park and Site of Special
Scientific Interest
-
the views from Liddington Hill and the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty
-
the recreational value of Dayhouse Lane (a peaceful country lane) for walkers,
cyclists, horse-riders and joggers who use it as a gateway to the downs
-
the inherent wildlife importance of Dayhouse Copse, ancient trees, hedges, bat
roosts, badger setts and otter streams
-
the literary associations of internationally renowned Richard Jefferies
-
the archaeological quality of the area that dates back to pre-history
-
the agricultural quality of the land - 22% is grade 2/3a, best and most
versatile farmland
-
the views from the Great Western Hospital that help aid recovery.
Over
52,000 people signed a petition asking
Swindon Council to protect this prized
corner
of Swindon. The environmental, historic and literary value of the appeal site
far outweighs any benefits that more housing, offices and industrial units can
offer. The planning application provides nothing special. It is not a
sustainable development, it is premature and will set a precedent for infill
development around Coate Water Country Park.
Please
dismiss the appeal lodged by Swindon Gateway Partnership.
Thank
you.
Yours
sincerely
