To whom it may concern

I wish to express my full support for retaining St Edmundsbury as High Amenity lands for the following reasons;

1. This site represents one of the last significant areas of open green space in our community. It is packed full of biodiversity providing habitat for birds, mammals, pollinators, native plant species, mature trees which all form an essential network of natural habitats.
2. The retention of these lands as High Amenity supports the objectives of the National Planning Framework by protecting green infrastructure, enhancing amenity, preserving heritage, transition to a climate resilient society.
3. Furthermore, for the compliance with National Planning Framework in terms of green infrastructure which aligns with the NPF’s focus on biodiversity, climate action, natural capital.
4. The lands form part of a wider ecological and landscape network. Development would sever ecological and wildlife corridors and damage the landscapes integrity. Once these lands are developed the environmental value, openness and biodiversity they support can never be restored.
5. The National Planning Framework emphasises the importance of high-quality "sense of place" and community wellbeing and therefore the retention of St. Edmundsbury as High Amenity lands is important to comply with same.
6. There has been an inordinate influx of development across Lucan in recent years destroying landscapes, habitats and green spaces. The NPF establishes that sustainable development must balance housing delivery but it would appear that recent developments of vast estates/towns in Lucan and its surrounding areas does not support this. High Amenity zoning is therefore essential for St. Edmundsbury. Lucan has already become a concrete jungle and the few remaining green areas most particularly St. Edmundsbury needs to be protected at all costs.

I therefore respectfully ask SDCC to retain St. Edmundsbury as High Amenity lands for the reasons as set out above. These precious biodiverse and ecological lands need to be safeguarded.