I AM writing to express my utmost concern and consternation at the prospect of a huge future housing development proposed for the village of Corfe Mullen.

Upon inspection of the new proposed ‘Local Plan’ I am horrified to realise that 400 new homes are proposed in addition to those already being built.

How on earth is such a proposal either socially or environmentally sound?

Corfe Mullen is already a large village with inadequate infrastructure.

The schools are massively oversubscribed and local doctors surgery and attached pharmacy was at breaking point before the pandemic.

In terms of amenities there are two Co-ops and a few small shops. How exactly is this sustainable for yet another 400 new homes, potentially 400 new families?

Are you going to ensure that such a massive development actually contains affordable housing for locals, or will it yet again be an opportunity to entice people into Dorset to invest in a second home?

However, of even graver concern, is your wilful negligence as a council to happily sell off precious greenbelt land for profit.

In November 2019 you declared a climate and ecological emergency.

This local plan is nothing but a hypocritical act by a council that played lip service to the pressure put on it by local residents two years ago in declaring this.

Surely I don’t need to spell out the massive damage such developments have in terms of habitat and ecosystem loss.

The fact that several of the proposed sites are on sloping land is also a worry.

Surely the change of land usage (ie covering everything in yet more impermeable concrete) is not a sensible idea.

With huge shifts in our weather patterns and increased rainfall this will just add to the risk of flooding.

Already the T-junction at the end of Haywards Lane regularly floods after periods of high rainfall.

I dread to think what it would be like when surrounded by housing.

Have you also thought about the impact such an increase in housing will have on the small country lanes serving this area?

As a council in the midst of an alleged ‘climate and ecological emergency’ I would hope any new housing developments would have features such as solar panels and EV charging points as standard?

I truly fear for our future and the future of my children when in the hands of such an incompetent and inept council.

EMMA SAMWAYS

Orchard Close, Corfe Mullen