Public safety and security risk

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to strongly object to the proposed walkthrough from Monastery Heath square to Woodford estate.  The grounds of my objection are as follows:

1. Security & Safety Concerns:
   I bought this house on the basis that this is a quiet ‘cul de sac’ to provide a safe and secure area for my children to play in.  This estate was designed as a quiet, enclosed space making it ideal for families and children.  Introducing a walkthrough would increase foot traffic providing opportunists an escape route for criminal activity.  This would lead to increased burglaries, loitering, and anti-social behaviour risking my children’s safety and freedom to play close to their home.
   There have been previous incidents of burglary in the estate, and this proposal would exacerbate vulnerability.  My car has been previously broken into and my family do not feel safe knowing that criminality will be increased.
   With E-scooters on the rise, I’m really concerned about the safety of local habitats.  There are already issues with speeding e-scooters and with Monastery Heath Square been downhill on a slope to the proposed walkthrough this only increases the number of accidents with locals been knocked down. 
    
2. Loss of Privacy: 
   If this walkthrough is passed and put in, our house is directly facing oncoming pedestrians compromising our family’s privacy.  Increased pedestrians provides direct visibility into our children’s playroom windows which is very concerning to us as parents.
    
3. Parking & Congestion:
   Increased pedestrian flow will only entice the public to park in this estate adding to an already congested estate. 
    
4. Environmental Impact:
   The walkthrough will alter the intended design which was a private enclosed estate with trees, shrubbery and plants covering the back wall of the estate.  The residents of this estate take pride in their surroundings, keeping it clean.  Introducing this walkthrough will only entice littering and disruption to local habitats. 
   The character of the estate would be compromised and reduce the value of the properties impacted by this proposed access point.  
    
5. Access already exists:
   I feel that this proposal would be a waste of valuable taxpayers money, considering Woodford Lawn already provides access to Woodford estate, and is only a couple of meters away.  Woodford Lawn already provides a well-lit, safer route to Monastery Road for parents and their children to take to school. 

Regards 

Alma Courtney