This morning a group of about 20 concerned locals gathered in the Fineshade car park to meet the local MP, Andy Sawford. It was good to see Andy paying attention to this local rural case, though, as he said, he doesn’t have a vote, but if he did, he said he would vote against the proposal.
Fears were expressed about local traffic, increased risk of road accidents, loss of amenity value and impacts on wildlife. Andy said that he didn’t see this as a modest development but as a major one which would clearly change the character of the area and affect its wildlife.
Yesterday, Andy (@AndySawfordMP) tweeted ‘seems to me that at Fineshade @forestholidays are involved in privatising woodlands by another means’.
It was good to meet the local butterfly expert from Butterfly Conservation, Martin Izzard (whose book I reviewed here ages ago) who confirmed to me that there are records of purple emperors from this wood.
I still think that a combination of local opinion bearing down on Tory councillors (I have written to mine) and the threat of legal action over ignoring the Dormice (which is entirely possible) might save this wood from the terrible damage planned for it by the Forestry Commission who own the land (on our behalf). The councillors don’t have to be brave – they just have to do the right thing!
You can object to this proposal if you wish (as usual, there is quite a lot of entering your details to be done) through this link. The more objections the better – even if you just say that you object and nothing more. The more this case becomes a hot potato the better, too!
If you are a local, then I might see you at a crowded Council Chamber at the planning committee meeting on Wednesday evening at the East Northants Council building at Thrapston , starting at 7pm.
But do remember, if you are a Woodland Trust member, that the Woodland Trust isn’t that fussed about this loss of wildlife-rich woodland to 70 holiday chalets with hot tubs, wi-fi and Sky TV. The Woodland Trust has not objected to this loss of woodland and tried to justify their position in a comment on this blog yesterday (see here – click on comments). The Woodland Trust has a commercial link-up with Forest Holidays who have submitted the planning proposal.
[registration_form]
It seems that nowhere is safe from development anymore.
The submit your objection link no longer works and doing a search on the site produced a ‘no results’ message.
Jen – the link should work now. I agree that the search engine on the council website doesn’t get you to the planning application very easily!
Thanks. Comment left 🙂
Wow, they certainly don’t make it easy do they. I had to register on three different sections of the website. It was worth it though if it makes a difference. Thanks for keeping us informed on these things.
“nowhere is safe from development”
Or car parking fees
Objected – for the second time. Good luck, Fineshade Wood and all your wildlife – you need it in the face of such soulless greed.