Help to save our village from the builders (From Cotswold Journal)

Help to save our village from the builders

4:00pm Thursday 27th September 2012 in News By Freya Leng

BOURTON residents are being rallied in a campaign against a large housing development proposed for the village.

Applicant Robert Hitchins has submitted a planning application to Cotswold District Council to build up to 100 houses on land off Station Road on the A429 Fosseway.

Members of Bourton Against Development (BAD) have been drumming up support by delivering leaflets to every household in the village People are being encouraged to write letters to the council or ward councillors and have been given advice on possible topics of objection.

Fiona Formby, BAD press officer, said the public response had been overwhelming.

She said: “I think this time Bourton has been informed early enough to do something about it.

“I think it has been a staggering response. The key thing here is to encourage people to write in – their letters don’t have to be long or complex, but they do count and we need to encourage the people of Bourton to stand up and be counted.

“Please help to save our beautiful Cotswold village from greedy developers and from those at the district council who believe that despite a weak infrastructure, no employment, poor roads and transport links that somehow Bourton is suitable for even more housing.”

In a statement on behalf of Robert Hitchins, Pegasus Urban Design said the development was an “opportunity to create a gateway feature to Station Road and the Fosse Way”.

It said: “The proposed development will create housing choice and amenity spaces for the existing and new community while improving public access across the site and to the wider pedestrian network.”

A public meeting is being held on Wednesday, October 17, at 7.30pm in Victoria Hall.