We, the undersigned, appeal to Lord Derby to withdraw his development proposal for Hatchfield Farm. We appeal to councillors to reject the Hatchfield Farm planning application.
Lord Derby’s proposed development at Hatchfield Farm initially thought to be 1,200 new build homes, now also includes an 80 bedroom hotel, retail space, bars, restaurants, fast food outlets and 27,000 square metres of commercial units. Very close to the town centre, it will add around 33% (5,000 people) to a population of 15,000. It will urbanise Newmarket, creating hazardous conditions for horses, riders, pedestrians and drivers. It will make it unsuitable for training and breeding racehorses and result in the eventual demise of the town as HQ.
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Under Charles II in the 17th Century, Newmarket became the UK’s home of racing and since then, the town has flourished with racing as its core industry. It is known throughout the racing world simply as HQ. Racing is the second biggest sport in Britain after football. Racing and breeding is the lifeblood of Newmarket and attracts many UK and overseas investors, owners, racegoers and other participants.
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This development will make it unfeasible to maintain, let alone develop, the economically important racing industry which is Newmarket’s lifeblood employing around 50% of the town’s population and directly benefitting the whole town. It will exacerbate the already heavy traffic congestion creating hazardous conditions.
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Indeed, there is no need to build a single house on a greenfield site in Newmarket or in the Forest Heath District area. If more houses are necessary, we have enough brownfield sites to meet the Council’s obligation to achieve Government targets. Barton Wilmore planning consultants have confirmed this in their report published on 27th November 2009. “Lord Derby insisted that this project is the best way of meeting the council’s obligation to provide more homes” (Sunday Telegraph,4th October 2009). This is not the case. No new houses are needed on this greenfield site.
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In addition, with the election next year and the Conservative Party clearly stating that they will not keep the current housing targets, it is inappropriate to push forward at this time this needless development, which will ruin Newmarket and is wasting taxpayers’ money.
Please join Save Historic Newmarket, residents and members of the racing world, including racegoers, supporters and industry racing bodies and companies, in our appeal to Lord Derby and Forest Heath District Council to stop the the Hatchfield Farm development.
Opposition to the development includes: Newmarket Town Council, British Horseracing Authority, Darley Stud Management Co Ltd, Godolphin Management Co Ltd, Jockey Club Estates Ltd, National Trainers Federation, Newmarket Racecourse, Newmarket Stud Farmers’ Association, Newmarket Trainers’ Federation, Racehorse Owners’ Association, Racehorse Transporters’ Association, Save Historic Newmarket Action Group, Tattersall’s Ltd, The Horsemen’s Group, Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.
