Priti Patel, the Conservative Party Parliamentary Candidate for Witham, has sent a statement to the planning appeal hearing opposing the proposals to build 80 new dwellings on the Stonepath Meadow site in Hatfield Peverel. Priti who has supported local residents and the Parish Council in objecting to the destruction of this much-loved piece of land for large scale housing, said:
“I oppose the destruction of Stonepath Meadow and stand with the local community. Stonepath Meadow is in the countryside and forms an important part of the identity and history of Hatfield Peverel and should be protected for future generations to enjoy.”
“I commend the commitment, hard work and dedication of local residents who have put forward a strong and compelling case to oppose this development. The evidence they have provided has been of an exceptionally high quality.”
“In my statement, I stressed to the planning inspector hearing the appeal the importance of preserving this site, the fact that the site is outside the settlement boundary and my concerns that planning policies to protect and safeguard this site for the future were being ignored. The fact that the local community has produced a Neighbourhood Development Plan to protect this site and favour new housing elsewhere on more sustainable sites should be commended and have urged the planning inspector to recognise this and refuse the appeal. While we need new housing, development should not be at any cost and should not be at the expense of this historic and much loved part of the countryside.”
NB: Pictures courtesy of Meloney Dale.