MADAM,

I’d like to add my voice to those objecting to the proposed development at 38 Hillcrest road, Wyesham.

Of all the criticisms I could make – that it would completely change the nature of our small cul-de-sac, increased traffic, loss of pavements, the risk of subsidence, the potentially catastrophic loss of habitat for protected species, water run-off, overdevelopment, poorly thought out and dangerous access, loss of property value – most concerning for me (as I suspect it is for all the residents) is the presence of lead, PAH (a substance which has been known to cause birth defects) and asbestos.

Many of the residents are ill or elderly and as I’m sure your readers can appreciate their health is precarious, what will be the effect on them if these toxic substances were to become airborne?

This isn’t NIMBYism either.  None of us objected when 50 plus homes were built at the other end of our street on the site of the old infants school. I agree with Catherine Fookes (who I’d like to belatedly thank for supporting our campaign) that the issue of affordable housing is paramount but that this is just the wrong place for such a development.  

Four affordable homes are not worth risking the health of the current and future residents.

Tyler Chinnick

(Monmouth)