Page 29 - MJC submissions

STEPS TOWARDS AN AGREED STATEMENT OF FACTS
And stipulations

7.1 Comments on Key Elements: Sustainability (Continued)
11. Ensure that the community has a high quality and healthy lifestyle;
12. Ensure a cohesive and safe village community;

13. Encourage a sense of community engagement in local issues, and the inclusion of
vulnerable groups; Page | 19

14. Encourage and support local businesses and promote the enhancement of business
units, location and estates;
15. Facilitate employment opportunities, including home working

Two points should be noted;

 the first principle is to protect and enhance the “distinctiveness and character” of the
village;
 the AWNP is the “made” and definitive plan for Ashurst Wood

The distinctiveness and character of the village is not described but the main attributes are
suggested in paragraph Table 5 page 14.

7.2 Viability and Deliverability
A leading estate agent, who had reviewed the integrated development, described it as
“horrible and unsellable ”, especially given the glut of one and two bedroom, and much
27
more desirable, flats already available in the area. He said he suspected that the majority of
the 71 units would be transferred – on default in the commercial market - to Housing
Associations for rental.

7.3 The Ancient Woodland and Buffer Zone
Ancient woodland dates to the 16 century, is therefore steeped in history and rich in
th
biodiversity, can never be replaced and must be given an elevated level of protection. The
EDF site - of 1.437 ha - includes 0.597ha of ancient woodland which the application claims
will be protected by a 15m buffer zone;

Figure 7: The buffer zone