Fight for Whitminster – Say NO to Opportunistic Development!
Developers are attempting to push forward large-scale housing developments that threaten Whitminster’s rural character, green spaces, and infrastructure. These proposals do not reflect the needs of our community and are purely profit-driven. We must make our voices heard and fight to protect our village
How to Respond
Developers are running a public consultation to gather feedback before submitting formal planning applications. It is critical that residents provide clear objections to ensure our concerns are addressed. Responses must be in your own words, as identical responses may be disregarded. Make sure you start your email by saying your object to the development!
Submit your objections via email:
- For Land East of School Lane: landeastofschoollane@pegasusgroup.co.uk
- For Land West of School Lane: landwestofschoollane@pegasusgroup.co.uk
Key Objections
- Overdevelopment: The proposed housing density is far too high for a rural village and does not align with the Whitminster Village Design Statement.
- Strain on Infrastructure: Our schools, medical services, and drainage systems are already at capacity. These developments would overwhelm essential facilities.
- Traffic and Safety Issues: Increased traffic on School Lane and Hyde Lane will create dangerous conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and schoolchildren. Measures such as a 20mph zone and improved junctions are essential.
- Loss of Green Spaces: The fields at risk are valuable recreational areas for walkers and nature lovers. Once built on, they are lost forever.
- Environmental Damage: Wildlife habitats will be destroyed, and flood risks will increase due to loss of natural drainage.
- Impact on Village Character: Any new homes should reflect the local style and respect the scale of our village, rather than imposing generic urban-style estates.
Shaping Future Development – A Vision for Whitminster
If development does take place, it must be designed in a way that respects the character of the village and enhances, rather than diminishes, our community. Residents should demand:
- Housing that fits the rural environment: No uniform, identikit housing. Buildings should reflect local architectural styles with varied designs that complement the village.
- Low-density layouts: More space around homes to avoid the cramped, urban feel of high-density estates.
- Natural boundaries: Well-maintained hedgerows and green buffers, rather than stark fences or walls, to maintain the rural landscape.
- Appropriate fencing: Traditional wooden fences should be used instead of urban-style metal railings.
- Good pedestrian and cycle links: Safe, well-lit routes connecting the development to village amenities, making walking and cycling a practical choice.
- High-quality green spaces: Open, accessible play areas and public green spaces that are properly maintained and not just left as unusable patches of grass.
- Environmentally friendly proposals: including air-source heat pumps and solar panels, additional planting to mitigate the loss of wild spaces (CO2 absorbing farmland).
What to Include in Your Email
Keep your email clear and structured. You could include:
- A statement that you strongly oppose the development.
- Specific concerns about the impact on infrastructure, traffic, flooding, and the environment.
- Suggestions on how any development should be designed to better fit Whitminster’s rural character.
Whitminster is OUR village – we must stand together to protect it. Send your objections now and make sure the developers hear us loud and clear!