I REFER to the article headlined “Big boost for village reliant on new plan” (Cotswold Journal, April 30) where Cala Homes executive Steve Hird offered all manner of goodies, including an all-weather pitch at Camden School.

But only if Cala gets approval to develop land in Blockley that’s a greenfield site, outside the village boundaries, within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), critical to our Conservation Area setting, in a high-risk flood zone, and that means destroying a wildlife habitat and concreting over an archaeologically significant medieval site.

So, what’s this money and where’s it going? The biggest chunk isn’t from Cala but from the New Homes Bonus, a government scheme encouraging housebuilding.

And the other slug of money? That’s the Section 106 Agreement stuff. The government defines this as “a mechanism which makes a development proposal acceptable in planning terms that would not otherwise be acceptable” – enough said.

And where does it all go? No, not Blockley but to the local authority determining the planning application. No conflict of interest there then.

And what’s the justification for dumping 11 years worth of housing in one go in a suburban-style housing estate in such a sensitive spot?

Blockley doesn’t oppose growth, it welcomes it where sympathetic to the needs, character and heritage of our community.

We don’t want to be transformed into a dormitory town for commuters, and we do intend that our democratic voice is heard.

Most of all we want to keep Blockley a village. Is that too much to ask?

Michael Reid

Blockley