I HAVE listened long and hard to debate, discussion, call it what you will, on the proposed merger of Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole into a greater authority and am still sceptical about what benefits Christchurch will gain from such an amalgamation.

We are constantly told and have been for many years by two prominent ex -Bournemouth councillors that such a move can only enhance the lives of Christchurch residents by bringing about improvements to social welfare, health provision, education and more importantly to creating a more expansive infrastructure programme, the latter seemingly being the most urgent if we are to move with the demand for greater progress in investment and employment to meet our future needs.

We are told a whole new infrastructure of the highway system is required to open up new areas of development to cater for future needs particularly housing and business investment. This is Bournemouth telling us what will benefit Christchurch and its population.

I question their motives. Is it because their land availability is diminishing? Is it because their housing requirement is desperate? Is it because they want a site to re-house their very successful Premier League Football Club? Is it because they want control of the airport, the associated business park and the huge revenues that it generates? Is it because they want control of all major planning issues that the above questions would generate?

I am extremely suspicious of any move into an uncertain future not compatible to our present Christchurch environment of a semi-rural structure of which it is said “Where time is pleasant” to which I concur.

From the outset of this proposed re-organisation, I advocated if our own sovereignty was proved to be unacceptable then we should move east into our old constituency boundaries within Hampshire where I am sure we could enjoy a like for like environmental and administrative future rather than be overwhelmed by the insatiable appetite for control by Bournemouth which I fear would be inevitable.

I hope all residents of Christchurch exercise their right to vote for what they feel to be in the best interests of our ancient borough and all who reside in it, value it and enjoy the ambience it conveys.

MIKE WINFIELD

Chairman, Highcliffe Conservative Branch