THE idea of expanding Chesterton with thousands of additionalhouses makes me think of Cirencester sprawling like Swindon.
The idea of building these houses on Kemble airfield seems like a “weird moon-like solution” at the expense of a unique place of aviation and business opportunity.
This idea will fill some with horror, but shouldn’t we consider building the houses in Kemble itself, as discretely or as creatively as possible?
Kemble has on its doorstep a railway station with fast access to Swindon and London. This is an unusual and superb facility! If these houses have to be built, wouldn’t this third option be the least damaging to the environment and the communities? And could breathing more life into the village and its’ amenities be a good thing?
Given the choice of “sprawl”, “moon” or “commuter village” –, where would you prefer to live?
Perhaps a more balanced solution would be to spread the load and build the houses in several villages.
If this idea is too dramatic, a more balanced solution would be to spread the impact and build the houses in several villages and towns. Or have all the decisions already been made?
RUSSELL BLACKALLER
Cirencester
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