Save Lichfield's "Cathedral Walk". Vote No To Darwin Hall

To: Lichfield District Council Planning Committee

Re.: Darwin Hall - Planning Application (07/00528/FUL)

We, the undersigned, object to the granting of planning permission for the above referenced application. Our grounds for objecting to the application include but are not limited to its proximity to neighbouring residences and the absence of new parking provision in contravention of the District Council's own parking policy for Community Halls as set out here:

http://www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?document ID=162&pageNumber=4

Also, ‘Cathedral Walk’ is a 1Km long tree-lined avenue running from Sante Foy Avenue (soon to be Lichfield's southern bypass), through the heart of the new Darwin Park estate, emerging at Friary Gardens. Through its entire length ’Cathedral Walk’ offers stunning views of Lichfield’s greatest building, its 3-spired cathedral.

Whilst both ends of 'Cathedral Walk' are presently hidden from view by a scruffy overgrown hedgerow, as the accompanying pictures show, once the hedgerow is removed it reveals itself as a new ‘gateway to the city’ and becomes a strategic asset with the potential to boost the city’s image, business and tourism and enhance the welfare of its citizens.

Placing Darwin Hall at the location proposed in the planning application will obliterate the stunning views along ‘Cathedral Walk’ and destroy this new ‘gateway to the city’ and strategic asset.