Sir – Julie Edgington’s letter (Gazette, September 25) raises some very interesting points, which need to be answered.
I understand the decision on the draft plan in 2012 was taken by West Oxfordshire District Council’s six-member cabinet. The full council has yet to vote on the issue.
The vast majority of residents in Brize Norton strongly oppose the Carterton East development site, which is, after all, located in Brize Norton parish.
The addition of more than 700 houses will swamp the village (now about 350 houses) and destroy its character. We do not oppose the building of houses in Carterton, simply we do not want them in our village.
Changing the boundaries will not change the location of the proposed houses. They will encroach on our village and engender coalescence.
The RAF base is a major employer but the vacancies that arose from the transfer from Lyneham are probably now filled or the base would be running at reduced efficiency.
The number of aircraft movements (and complaints) suggest otherwise. Other than this Carterton has been very slow in creating employment. The land to the east allocated to industrial use is largely undeveloped and the retail park has attracted only two occupants in the 10 years (approximately) of its existence.
Julie is probably correct that if the houses are built to the east of Carterton, then the domino effect will take over and there will be 1,000 built to the west, and then to the north, and then…
When Shilton Park was given the go-ahead, the council gave assurances that Monahan Way would be the eastern limit of Carterton. All Brize Norton residents want is that this pledge be honoured.
Selwyn Shorrock, Carterton Road, Brize Norton
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