Parish councils join forces to fight Long Marston leisure development (From Cotswold Journal)

Parish councils join forces to fight Long Marston leisure development

1:02pm Wednesday 8th July 2009

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A WORKING group of 14 local parish and town councils have signed a letter opposing plans for a 500 home leisure development on the Long Marston estate.

Following the end of Stratford District Council’s consultation period on the plans, the 13 parish councils - including Admington, Aston-sub-Edge, Honeybourne, Ilmington, Mickleton, Pebworth and South Littleton - and Chipping Campden Town Council, have demonstrated the depth of opposition to them throughout the local community.

Two additional parish councils, those of Broadway and Luddington, have sent separate letters of objection making it 16 councils in total which have responded to the consultation.

While the councils are not opposed to the leisure or employment aspects of the proposed development, their letter states they object to the 500 houses on the grounds that: “It causes demonstrable harm to the wellbeing of local communities, the character of the area and the wider strategic aims of the development plans for Wychavon, Cotswolds and Stratford.”

Developer St Modwen’s masterplan for their 478 acre portion of the 600 acre site, which in an entirely separate venture has also been earmarked for a 6,000 home eco-town, is for a mixed use leisure development including 150 self-catering lodges, 150 holiday homes, 500 houses, a caravan park, leisure hub, and a rail heritage centre incorporating local rail restoration work.

John Dodds, regional director at St. Modwen, said: "What must be remembered is that for almost three years we have consulted with the local community on a total of six development options for the site.

"Contrary to what is stated in this letter, the housing does not sit as a standalone development, and planning policy CTY.18 requires us to come forward with a comprehensive plan for the entire site, and therefore the application looks to secure the total future reuse of the site rather than piecemeal development."

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