I AM writing to object to the proposed development to be called Mereham. I am a local resident, having lived in the parish of Cottenham all my life. I live just over the southern boundary of the area subject to the main planning application, with my fam

I AM writing to object to the proposed development to be called Mereham. I am a local resident, having lived in the parish of Cottenham all my life. I live just over the southern boundary of the area subject to the main planning application, with my family where we also run our own business. Our farm is adjacent to the A10, 2 miles south of Stretham.

There have been two fatal accidents in the last 10 years within 100 meters of our entrance.

It is obvious that on the rare occasions that the future traffic levels are low, that speeds will increase. The resultant high speeds will lead to an increase risk of more fatalities.

Living close to the A10 we are already subject to a considerable level of noise pollution and clearly the proposed development would take the level above that which would be acceptable by any normal measurement.

We have not been consulted at all about the proposals, which will affect us greatly and, in particular, the alterations to the A10. The road works for any alterations to the A10 and the

associated massive increase in congestion will mean that many of our customers will be driven away. I understand that the plans for the A10 have recently changed and yet as someone who lives directly on the A10 and will be adversely affected by any changes, we should have been consulted. We object to this heavy handed and undemocratic action.

I am writing to object on the grounds of the risk of flooding. The Old West river has breached its banks along the stretch of river on the southern boundary on numerous occasions over the years and in January 1987 rose approximately four feet and again in the spring of 2002 to within two or three feet of the top of the flood bank.

With the extra run-off from Mereham and the widened A10, that will feed directly into to the river, there is a serious risk of flooding which will not only cause a huge amount of damage to our home but also to our business and our livelihood. This is assuming that all the excess water goes into the river but it is our experience that some excess water finds its way onto agricultural land and threatens the buildings.

We are a normal farming family and we run a modest business that is part of the country way of life. We assume that our Government will protect us, not threaten us, therefore we have every confidence that the inspector and Mrs Blears will consign this plan to the rubbish bin of history.

FIONA DUNNE, Ely Road, Chittering

Cc Hazel Blears MP, James Paice MP, The Ely Standard, Councillor W Hunt