I WAS amazed to read the Christmas message from our local parish council chairman Nick Hurst in the SNJ of December 23, in which he referred to “Nimby geriatrics adverse to change”.

Like many members of our community in Minchinhampton, I would welcome a sustainable neighbourhood plan aligned to the Stroud District Plan.

However, I think that Mr Hurst is mistaken if he thinks that the community’s wish-list includes measures that would result in gridlock in our small town.

I strongly recommend that he reads the 450+ objections to the Glebe Farm development from the people he represents.

He needs to credit us with having a point of view that considers our children, grandchildren and generations into the future.

Our neighbourhood plan needs to consider the delicate balance between sustainability and preserving the historic core of the town which is a conservation area, sitting within an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Mr Hurst has not considered the impact of increased traffic flow along narrow streets which were not built for modern-day vehicles.

The enhancements to which Mr Hurst refers in the “offer” from the developers are not what the community need or want.

The parish council have a history of cheap ‘fix it’ solutions that negatively impact the conservation area.

Ten years ago, they allowed parking opposite our house on Tetbury Street.

Since then, water and salt splash from the road caused by passing traffic has meant that we have had to re-point the lower part of our house three times.

Builders tell me that under normal circumstances lime mortar should last for years.

Mr Hurst should know that concrete is not an option because of its impact on the Cotswold stone from which our houses are built.

Our house is certainly suffering from the environmental impact of poor decision-making.

We want a sustainable environment and we need to encourage people into the town to keep our local businesses going.

These businesses provide a focal point at the heart of our town and provide a valuable service.

Reduced parking places will not help.

We should be promoting the existing assets of our beautiful conservation area and AONB in a sustainable way to ensure that we have a thriving community.

Accepting funding in return for unsustainable development is not the answer, nor is it what the 450+ objectors, of of all ages, want for future generations.

Mrs S Athey

Minchinhampton