LETTER: Tell us more about High Oakham Drive plan

No one would argue with the fact High Oakham House and outbuildings are in need of repair and restoration, but to ally this to building 22 homes in a wooded area is a step too far in my view. It is not surprising the proposal is “hailed” by local businessmen.

I note Mr Sankey talks of “high-value bespoke properties which we simply do not have” which, in my view, ignores the fact that is the area in which he himself live. Indeed his own house fits that description very well.

It is also stated that the land is unmanaged.

If the current state of the woodland is due to it being unmanaged, then long may it continue to lack management and maintain its diversity of wildlife and mature tree species.

I should also be interested to know in whose opinion it is unsustainable in its current form.

I should perhaps amend talk of “current” state since, for some time, access to the woodland has been denied to us by fencing off a right of way. Perhaps these business men could say by what authority this has been done and for what reason and then maybe we can all assess its current state, instead of accepting the word of those who, in my view, have a vested interest.

Mike Booth

Caudwell Drive, Mansfield.