I write in support of Cllr David Tozer's letter (Chronicle, September 19) in respect of the proposed development of the Sir John Moore Barracks site, in which he sets out very clearly why the northern part of this site should be protected from development.

Having been owned by the MoD for many years, restricted access to the Northern Fields has resulted in them becoming a richly diverse area and as such they have been categorised as a candidate Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).

WCC's Local Plan Policy NE5 states inter alia that the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will protect sites of international and national importance, and local nature conservation sites and SINCS from inappropriate development, in which case there appears to be good reason why the LPA should refuse permission for this development as it stands.

The same policy notes that the Environment Act 2021 requires development proposals to secure a minimum 10 per cent measurable biodiversity net gain over the predevelopment Biodiversity Unit score.  I fail to see how this can possibly be achieved under the current proposals, which include three significant areas of housing and associated access roads plus a park-and-ride car park within the northern area of the site.

As Cllr Tozer pointed out, the UK has become one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and it is surely now time to call a halt to such damaging proposals.  I for one want to be able to look my grandchildren in the eye and tell them I did all I could to protect the world they will inherit, which could become a barren wasteland if we don't start to take action now.  I hope others might feel the same and will make their views known to WCC and our local MP.

Christopher Rice,

Main Road,

Littleton

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