You helped say "No" to Windmill Green

A very big thank you from the FOCUS TEAM to all those who returned the petition slips in our FOCUS SPECIAL and signed the petitions, on-line, in local shops and in the Brockeridge Centre. We have delivered "thank you" notes and sent e-mails, but there were so many signatories we haven’t been able to thank you all personally.

We are also very grateful to all those who were able to make the trip to The Ship in Alveston and those who helped to make the case against the proposals for 220 houses, a store and offices at Park Farm. It was important to let the Inspector know the impact that they would have on our residents and local community.

Claire told the Inspector about the concerns that had been raised by some of you with her. Dave reported on the 2 surveys which have been done in our villages, both of which clearly indicate that further large development would be unwelcome to the vast majority of local residents. He also described the flooding and sewage problems, supplying the Inspector with photographs to illustrate them. Pat enlarged on the objections raised by Frampton Cotterell Parish Council after listening to all the local people who turned up when it was considering the planning application. She gave the Inspector copies of the bus timetables to show how difficult it would be for people to get to work without adding to the traffic jams. She also included copies of our Village Design Statement and our Heritage Walks booklet to show how much we value our villages and our countryside.

Sadly sitting through three days of listening to a very aggressive Barrister attacking the Officers from South Gloucestershire Council who were defending their refusal reasons, was a very depressing experience. If the Inspector dismisses this appeal it will be because she didn’t just listen to the professionals. She will have listened to how local people feel about the proposals from local people themselves!