ADAPT letter to the PC

This is the text of a letter sent by ADAPT (Audlem & District Acting Positively for Transition) to the Parish Council, to add to the debate about the potential residential development on land off Audlem Road.

Plans for sustainable development of Audlem

ADAPT's mission is to support initiatives that aim to create a sustainable, resilient and inspiring community for our grandchildren and beyond. We therefore have an interest in the potential residential development on land off Audlem Road. We add our voice to the objections to the proposal. It refers to "sustainable development", but has all the hallmarks of an unplanned, unwanted and unsustainable development.

ADAPT is for the sustainable development of the village, but the character of such development should be determined by a locally led, rounded and participatory analysis of local economic, social, cultural and environmental factors.

It should not be determined by an ad hoc profit opportunity for a speculative property developer holding no stake in our community. ADAPT therefore supports the Parish Council in taking forward initiatives within the framework of the Parish Plan (2010) and the Village Design Statement and Landscape Character Assessment (December 2011).

in particular, we support the analysis and aspirations expressed in paragraphs 2.55, 2.56 and 2.57 of the Village Design Statement under the heading of Affordable Housing and Local Employment (pages 17-18), and we expect development in the village to respect the Guidelines and Aspirations summarised on pages 31-34. As one of ADAPT's objectives is about growing more of the village's food locally, we strongly support aspiration A6 for community allotments.

In addition to those Guidelines and Aspirations we would like to add some in line with ADAPT's objectives about increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. For example, we are keen to ensure that any residential or commercial developments in the village not only meet current energy efficiency standards, but also exceed them, to minimise the impact of development in terms of future energy use and carbon emissions.

Materials used and construction techniques should represent current best practice in relation to environmental sustainability. Opportunities should be taken to integrate infrastructure developments with skills training, local enterprise development and employment creation.

Assessment of new developments should also consider the imperative of reducing transport-related carbon emissions, by favouring schemes that promote local employment and reduce commuting, for example.

ADAPT is keen to cooperate with other community groups to support the implementation of locally determined visions of sustainable development. Please be assured of ADAPT's continued support for the Parish Council's efforts to coordinate village development planning.

Yours faithfully,

For and on behalf of ADAPT

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