Re: Wycombe District Council's investigations into building houses on a stretch of woodland between Hicks Farm Rise and Hatters Lane, High Wycombe. The Midweek, Bucks Free Press and South Bucks Star have received several letters on the subject and there is a public meeting tomorrow

I AM responding to the recent letters published regarding the 'early investigations' as to the feasibility of developing the land that lies between Hicks Farm Rise and the gardens between 140 and 10 (approximately) Hatters Lane, together with the redevelopment of Windrush and St Hugh's.

I purchased my house 14 months ago because of the size of my garden and its privacy.

Having paid Wycombe Council for a land search, I am devastated to learn that there are plans (albeit at an early stage) to put a road at the bottom of my garden, which will obviously lead to housing.

While planning applications may not have been submitted, I feel sure the council must have known that they were seriously considering development on this site and I feel the money I had to pay for the council land search was totally wasted.

Having made numerous phone calls to the council, it actually took nearly a week for them to finally admit that, yes, development and a road was being considered.

What I would now like to know is why won't the council let anyone see the plans they are considering?

What have they got to hide?

Rightly or wrongly, I don't see why redevelopment of Windrush and St Hugh's can't be accomplished without developing the strip of land between Hicks Farm Rise and Hatters Lane.

As already stated in various letters this land is a haven for wildlife. Without it, I would not have the amount of birds that now visit my garden.

Since I have been in residence I have been visited by 18 different varieties of birds, and am host to breeding pairs of robins, blue tits, great tits, and green finches.

Since traffic calming measures have been implemented in Micklefield Road the speed of traffic using Hatters Lane has increased alarmingly. I have no wish to see my home become stranded on a traffic island, which is what would happen if a road is built behind my house.

I would also like to know what assurances WDC can give me that I will not be approached by developers who may wish to purchase land at the bottom of my garden for development, as has happened further down the road, or more alarmingly have a compulsory purchase implemented?

As a final comment on Peter Cartwright's letter (South Bucks Star, August 9) I would like to say that it is NEVER too early to fight to keep what quality of life you have. Once trees are felled and hedgerows ploughed they can't be put back.

If this letter is published before the planned public meeting on Wednesday, August 15, at St Andrew's Church, I would like to take this opportunity of urging all concerned persons to attend and air their views.

Sally Austin

Hatters Lane

High Wycombe