The unsuitability of The Causeway as access was mentioned and the Larcombe Road/Borough Road access is also totally unsuitable, being narrow and winding.

The effect on the town generally would be serious. Several hundred more children would surely necessitate a new school; the already crowded car parks would require enlargement – presumably by the building of a multi storey structure; rush hour trains would become even more crowded, with many forced to stand for over an hour to Waterloo.

Apart from all these considerations, there is the national park. After great efforts by many people, Petersfield has been included in it, which is seemingly ignored when it comes to new houses – even though East Hampshire District Council have stated there is not a need for the new housing.

Silent Gardens, Liphook is cited as a precedent – it too was on the reserve list.

However, the government inspector, who overruled EHDC's rejection of that site, said that he did not believe that his decision would put pressure on local planners to allow other reserve sites to be used, and they should be considered on their own merits.

Silent Gardens is not in the national park, was top of the reserve list, and is partly developed land – hardly an appropriate precedent.

Richard Banfield

Love Lane Petersfield

I am writing in support of the views expressed by residents in Larcombe Road and The Causeway.

Petersfield recently celebrated its inclusion in the national park. Does this not give protection from such major developments?

There are now few open fields near the town centre and it is such countryside that helps Petersfield to be the special and lovely market town it is. Once the countryside is destroyed it can never be replaced.

At present, ramblers, children and dog walkers use the water meadows and fields as they head for Hangers Way and The Downs.

I walk the area daily and there is such a variety of wildlife. Beautiful meadow flowers in the spring through mid-summer attracting an amazing variety of butterflies, bees and insects. It is a haven for the beautiful timid deer who roam the area and for many birds including owls, little egrets, green and red spotted woodpeckers and goldfinches. In winter the stream becomes a fast flowing river flooding surrounding trees and meadows. I wonder how that affects plans for a development?

The prospect of the influx of further traffic on to The Causeway is alarming.