From Lytchett Matravers Parish Magazine
Community Action for Lytchett Matravers [CALM]

CALM is a set up to address the threat of a new town the size of Wareham real possibility of 2,750 + houses being built on land around Lytchett Matravers and Lytchett Minister. The steering committee meets every Tuesday evening 7.30pm in Blanchard Room, Village Hall, Lytchett Matravers.and is open to any member. If you are not a member already, sign up now by sending us your contact details. Membership is open to everyone and is free. Come and join us.

We are currently working on various ways to promote public awareness of the situation. We have set up the committee but need others to help various sub committees so that we can prepare to fight the “Western Extension” of the Poole & Bournemouth conurbation which is currently under review with Hazel Blears, The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

"Evidence was submitted by JS Bloor [Newbury] Ltd that a development of this scale can be accommodated without the need for additional lanes on the A35. This evidence acknowledges a number of potential impacts on surrounding N2K sites, but highlights the fact that the land involved is in a single ownership there is potential to secure green space alongside development proposals and thereby mitigate the impact" – Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West [Bournemouth and Poole HMA Sub-Regional Strategy].

We expect to get a decision by late July on whether this proposal has the go ahead on what is currently Green belt land. If it is approved, there will only be a 12 week period of public consultation where we may oppose this idea with reasoned argument. The government has cynically organised this to happen during the summer recess. If this proposal gets the “green light”, it will mean the end of the village as we know and love it. It will have a huge impact on the Green belt, which we all assumed was untouchable. It will mean the end of some well-loved bridle and footpaths, possibly the end of the natural habitat of much of our local wildlife. We need people who are prepared to undertake studies in this area.

QUESTIONNAIRE - Planning Services, at Purbeck District Council will be delivering a questionnaire to each household by the 13th of June “Issues and Options – Western Extension North East Purbeck”. We strongly urge you to complete as much of the questionnaire as possible as it will have a major impact on the end result. This is your chance to get your feelings across. If any of the questions are unclear, do contact any of us on the Committee or move on to the next question. The most important thing is to get the questionnaire into PDC. Check that your neighbours are completing and returning the form by 28th July 2008. As there is only one questionnaire per household, other members of your household are invited to complete the questionnaire online at www.purbeck.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=10854

CALM has its own web site: www.lytchett-matravers.net , which is regularly updated. As we develop so shall the website with details on up to date information, constitution, calendar of events, media coverage.

If you would like to go on our mailing list email us at info@lytchett-matravers.net or visit us at our stand on the Recreation Ground at the Carnival

Better still join come us.

Ann Richardson

CALM Press Officer