Dear Editor

The following is an open letter to all Town Councillors:

I invite all Town Councillors, on their walks around the town, to take a walk along Waterside. It’s easily accessed through the ‘hole in the wall’ on Gloucester Road.

At this time of year, and for the next four months or so, good views can be had looking up to The Chase Hotel.

I ask each Councillor to think about a future planning application, and what this view would look like if planning permission were granted. We don’t know yet what will be proposed, but it will be for a lot of new dwellings.

How will these new buildings and roads affect the public’s appreciation of the peace and quiet of the great lawn, the ponds, and their wildlife?

Another Little Egret arrived last week, will they still want to visit if the great lawn is built on?

‘Save The Chase 2019’ is changing its name to ‘Save The Chase 2020’, and will continue to argue that whilst the ‘hotel site’ can be developed, the ‘green space’, especially the grand lawn, should not be built on at all.

The green space in the grounds of The Chase Hotel must be saved for what it is; an important, historic, green oasis in Ross, the birthplace of tourism 250 years ago in 2020.

Wishing everyone a happy and peaceful New Year.

Joyce Thomas MBE

Ross-on-Wye