Dear Editor,

After attending the public meeting regarding the potential planning at Greytree, we came away with a real sense of anger.

We are firmly against development of the site for many reasons. This land is an unimproved pasture within the Wye Valley AONB, and hasn’t seen a plough in living memory.

There are serious issues with traffic access in an already busy part of town. Development of all required housing in Ross within the current Structure Plan is already planned for the east of the town and at Hildersley, where these issues are not a factor. In addition to this, Brampton Abbots School is already full.

However, it was the arrogance and scaremongering that we found hard to bear. We were told that the development was coming whether we liked it or not, and this scheme was of a lower housing density than any other that might be proposed, therefore we should accept this and be grateful.

What is the Neighbourhood Plan for if it is not about local democracy and a real chance for our citizens to take back control in order to influence the future of our beautiful town and adjoining landscape?

It is not inevitable that this site will be developed. We, the public, have a say. Just because the charities who own the land wish to maximise their assets, and have paid a large consultancy business, does not give them automatic rights to build a housing estate on it.

We will not be bullied or frightened into accepting this proposal. Many residents of Greytree may feel fearful of the future and therefore persuaded to go along with it.

If, like us, you do not want residential development on this site, please sign the petition that we will be setting up or make your views known to Melvyn Reynolds, Chair of Ross Town Council Neighbourhood Plan Sub Committee.

Mr and Mrs Leney

Ross-on-Wye