I AM writing to respond to the letter from the Bude Business Forum which appeared in the 'Post' on January 29.

Catesby's plans for Binhamy Farm represent a potential multi-million pound investment in Bude, creating up to 500 jobs, increasing local spending power and providing badly needed homes for local people. In the midst of a major economic downturn, it seems extraordinary that representatives of the business community should consider passing up an opportunity for increased trade and prosperity for the town and a future for our young people.

The Binhamy Farm site has, for some time, been earmarked by the district council as the preferred location for future development in the town. There are no significant 'brownfield' sites in Bude, otherwise no doubt, if they were suitable, they would have been chosen instead.

The council has taken the view that one large site (at Binhamy Farm) would be preferable than several smaller sites. But any development, if approved, will not occur all at once. It will be phased over a period of 10-15 years to make sure the effects on Bude will be gradual and controlled. If Bude is to thrive, development must occur, bringing new investment, new enterprise and new jobs, as well as new business to the shops in the town centre.

The scale of retail development has been sharply reduced, compared with previous plans and is designed to complement the town centre, not compete with it. The new shops will help attract people from elsewhere and capture spending which would otherwise be lost to other centres, such as Launceston, Bideford and Barnstaple.

So are Bude Business Forum's concerns justified? Clearly they are not. The scheme:

1) Will not tear the heart out of Bude, it will help support the town centre through increased trade and create a more healthy local economy.

2) Will not damage tourism. As long as Bude continues to offer sea, sunshine and good service, visitors will come to Bude, both for day trips and for their holidays. The Binhamy scheme will not change that.

3) Will not result in damage to historic heritage or features. On the contrary, Catesby has been working with English Heritage, Cornwall County Council and the owners of the former Binhamy Castle Ancient Monument (which few people locally know exists) to improve its setting and make it more accessible to local people, historians and visitors — this is a major benefit of the scheme.

4) Will not cause major damage to the local ecology. Once again, Natural England sets very exacting standards in relation to 'protected species'. Careful studies have been done and measures proposed to mitigate any impact on the environment. Indeed we are proposing to create new accessible open spaces on the site, including the creation and protection of the 'green lane' running east-west from Binhamy Farm to Binhamy Castle.

5) Will not cause increased flood risk, either 'on site' or in the lower part of the town. Any scheme needs to satisfy the stringent requirements of the Environment Agency.

6) Will not cause traffic congestion. Far from it. Improvements will be made to junctions to benefit the free flow of traffic. The new development will be served by an enhanced bus service and by new footpaths and cycle routes which will provide better links between homes, jobs and shops.

7) Will not leave Bude without adequate infrastructure and facilities. For the most part, new residents will be helping services to operate more efficiently rather than putting more pressure on them. Children will be filling school spaces, not turning other children away. If there is a deficiency, the developer will have to pay. Indeed, we are proposing a new community building as part of the scheme, something which is on top of the Bude Partnership's 'wish list'.

Catesby has worked hard to consult and involve the local community at all stages in the process and have listened to the Bude Business Forum and adapted our plans to reflect their earlier concerns. But at the end of the day, decisions have to be made.

We genuinely believe that the package of proposals we have submitted will bring benefits to Bude — in terms of new homes, jobs, services and facilities. We are committed to investing in Bude and we welcome the support we have received from many people and organisations which have responded to us.

Director of Planning,

Catesby Property Group.