2.7.19 of the New Plan states that " In line with legislation and national policy the council will seek to protect Listed Buildings from: demolition: inappropriate alterations and extensions or changes of use: and from any form of development that could adversely affect their settings." A 25 acre Business Park opposite the entrance to Wyke Hall would definitely have an adverse effect on its setting.

"The Sustainability Appraisal Final Report July 2008" para 24.(page 6) states "We have also highlighted concerns about indirect impacts on the environment. For example several of the SSCTs are constrained due to their high quality landscape, biodiversity and historic interest. Indirect impacts could include the effects of development on the character and setting of natural and historic landscapes and assets, and impacts on biodiversity from recreation and from noise, light and air pollution, new development and traffic."

Throughout the New Plan it continually states the need to protect the environment, Listed Buildings and Wildlife;   (New Plan) 1.3.25 The SCS (Sustainable Community Strategy) "recognises the strategic environmental issues featured in emerging RSS, but also identifies environmental issues that are more specific to Dorset. The many environmental designations in the county are a major constraint that is an important influence on the management of growth. However, the quality of the environment also drives the economy and is one of the reasons why people enjoy living and working in the area."

This area of Wyke is the last area of natural beauty in Gillingham; the area proposed for development is made up of green fields and a stream, which is a tributary of the River Stour. A haven for Herons, (hence the fields being known as "Heron Fields") Kingfisher, Woodpecker, Water Vole, young Brown Trout, Otter and migratory "Little Egret". Uncommon plants; naturally growing Fritilaria and Figwort.

Such a development will spoil the approach into Wyke, especially as it enters an Area of Local Character. This will be devastating to the whole character of the area. In "Gillingham, Landscapes and Open Spaces Assessment Report for NDDC, 2003", by Richard Burden, Chartered Landscape Architect, he describes Wyke as having " a village feel to the area due to the intensity of buildings of character, including both terraces and large Victirian detatched houses around the main road and the dominance of the historic old Brewery Building. There is a variety of Listed Buildings that fall outside of the designated area therefore it may be logical to extend the existing area of designate an additional one for these buildings" This was recognised as an important area in 2003 but nothing seems to have been done about it.

Point 4.2 of the "The Sustainability Appraisal Final Report July 200" shows that there is a real danger of losing our locally distinctive built and natural environment for it states that "Despite being rich in wildlife, the region continues to experience loss and fragmentation of habitats and species.Some of the historic assets of the region are at risk, either from development or from a general lack of care and attention." As I have previously stated, the area proposed for development at Wyke is a haven for Herons, (hence the fields being known as "Heron Fields") Kingfisher, Woodpecker, Water Vole, young Brown Trout, Otter and migratory "Little Egret".

2.1.10 The strategy for Gillingham and the North of the District contains six key themes one of which is:"Our Environment- A thriving, healthy and attractive town sensitively blended into its rural hinterland, cherishing and managing its built and natural environment and valuing and conserving its unique heritage."

There is therefore a need to protect and enhance the environment which is a priority to Dorset residents and a constant key theme throughout the Dorset SCS (Sustainable Community Strategy). In fact at point 2.2.8 it recognises this as being important in the early visioning work on the Core Strategy and in the Council’s Corporate Plan and it states; "The SCS recognises that the quality of the environment drives Dorset’s economy and is also one of the reasons why people enjoy living and working in the county. Development therefore needs to be sensitively designed to maintain environmental quality and the quality of life of residents."

How can the building of a 25 acre Business Park at Wyke be proposed in The New Plan when Objective 3b reads; "The objective is to better manage and protect the environment of North Dorset by: Ensuring that North Dorset’s wildlife, landscape and cultural Heritage are protected and enhanced."

Draft Core Policy 13 states; "The Green Infrastructure Strategy will seek to: Encourage facilities that promote the public enjoyment of wildlife and the landscape in the countryside." It is inconceivable that the New Plan can make such a statement of intent and then 21 pages further on, propose the building of a 25 acre Business Park at Wyke, an area surrounded by historical Listed Buildings and wildlife.

(New Plan) Point 2.7.8 states that "Development should be capable of being accommodated in an area without detracting from its intrinsic landscape qualities. It should not erode local distinctiveness by harming the key positive characteristics of a landscape and should, where possible, enhance the landscape." Such a development would definitely detract from the intrinsic landscape qualities how could it not?