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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-GB link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Dear Member<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>You may not be aware but South Bucks District Council has been required by the government to produce a new Local Plan. To start this it has launched an initial public consultation. This mail gives you the background to this and requests your response on matters that concern you. The survey closes on April 24<sup>th</sup>, so responses need to be quite fast.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><i>South Bucks District Council consultation document is available at: <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><a href="http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=6399&p=0"><i>http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=6399&p=0</i></a><i> <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>You can write directly:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>SBDC at: ldf@southbucks.gov.uk<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoHeader><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Taplow Parish: <a href="mailto:taplow.pc@googlemail.com"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>taplow.pc@googlemail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Ourselves: <a href="mailto:secretary@taplowsociety.org.uk"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>secretary@taplowsociety.org.uk</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>If you do so, would you please copy the other addresses so that we are all aware of opinions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>In particular, the Parish Council has set up an on-line survey tool through which you can respond to a set of questions prepared by the Parish Council, which will ease their construction of a Parish view. This can be found at: <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/D7R3KMJ">https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/D7R3KMJ#</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>The Parish Council would like any responses to the survey to be returned by April 17<sup>th</sup> to give them time to consolidate the views.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Roger Worthington<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Secretary, Hitcham and Taplow Society<o:p></o:p></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm'><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='border:none;padding:0cm'>07787556309<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>The following section is a briefing written by Taplow Parish Council and gives relevant web site addresses.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>South Bucks District Council (SBDC) has commenced the process of public consultation for what will become the new Local Plan, a strategic document that will shape the growth of the district for the foreseeable future. It will replace current local planning legislation, most of which is, or is becoming, out of date. Like all local authorities in England, SBDC must assess a local need for housing and other development and address these needs locally and this means there will be (much) greater development pressure within the district. This will include the provision of 7,000 new homes by 2036.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>The vast majority of the district (87% outside of the main settlements) is currently designated as Metropolitan Green Belt, which enjoys planning protection against development in order to achieve five key purposes: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>5.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>to assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>In the future there is likely to be a conflict between providing new areas for development, principally housing, and conserving the Green Belt. The Taplow Parish Green Belt is of regional and national significance because of the attractive natural setting it provides for locations of historical, sporting and leisure importance. It also contains a vital piece of strategic Green Belt which separates the urban developments of Maidenhead and Burnham and Slough. In turn this stretch of Green Belt forms part of a larger swathe of Green Belt stretching from Beaconsfield to Windsor. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>The accessibility of Taplow Parish with its bordering by two motorways and the major railway line crossing it makes it particularly attractive to developers and there will be great pressure to use the Green Belt. The pressure will be even greater in the near future as Taplow Parish will soon be connected to London by Crossrail. This will add rail capacity and significantly reduce journey times to London. Indeed, because of its rail links, one academic in favour of building on the Green Belt has publicly identified Taplow Parish as an ideal location for 25,000 homes!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>The amount and location of any development must also take into account not only permanent loss of Green Belt land and the protection its notation provides but the affect that traffic generation will have on the surrounding areas, not only in terms of ease of movement but the inevitable downgrading of the rural character due to white lining, road widening, extra signage and kerbing. This rural character is an essential component in support of the role of the Parish as a regional amenity area.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>It is therefore vitally important that the residents of Taplow Parish, and those who work here, are aware of this wider planning context and its implications for the future of the Parish. The Parish Council is seeking the widest possible engagement of residents to define how Taplow Parish should be treated in the new SBDC Local Plan as it is drafted over the next two years. A series of questions (below) is designed to explore what matters most to Taplovians and also to identify positive areas for development, because a purely negative or blanket ‘nimby’ response will not carry much weight. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>There may be areas within the Parish where sustainable development can be achieved and also other areas which are important but which do not currently enjoy Green Belt protection or where that protection may be eroded in the future. This is our opportunity to protect the best of Taplow Parish and to guide and inform its future growth in the most socially and environmentally sustainable manner. Although the process of drafting the plan will take time it is essential that our involvement begins now and is maintained throughout its evolution. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>There are several background documents which may be relevant:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><i>The South Bucks District Council consultation document is available at: </i><a href="http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=6399&p=0"><i>http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=6399&p=0</i></a><i> <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><i>A plan of South Bucks District is available at: </i><a href="https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/601295/districts-map.pdf"><i>https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/601295/districts-map.pdf</i></a><i><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><i>There are several plans covering South Bucks District Green Belt, the most relevant to Taplow are available at:<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><a href="http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=3505&p=0"><i>http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=3505&p=0</i></a><i> <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><a href="http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=3511&p=0"><i>http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=3511&p=0</i></a><i><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><a href="http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=3515&p=0"><i>http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=3515&p=0</i></a><i><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><i>and a key is available at: </i><a href="http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=3497&p=0"><i>http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=3497&p=0</i></a><i> <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>