Planning Application No. S/2012/1653 Chalke Valley Community Hub Ltd

Dear Mr Hatt

I understand that a planning application is being submitted in respect of this project, and I am writing to express my support for the following reasons:

1 The Chalke Valley has one remaining shop (J E Fry & Sons) to service the villages of , , , and Bishopstone. This shop is due to close in May 2013 on the retirement of Robert Fry. I believe that it is vital to maintain a shop and Post Office in the valley to maintain and promote social cohesion and to reduce the need for residents to travel either to or to for routine shopping needs.

2 There is overwhelming support for this initiative among the residents of the valley. Recent public meetings have revealed the strength of feeling that exists in support of the project from both Broad Chalke and Bowerchalke in particular.

3 The existing premises will not be available to the community for the establishment of a replacement business. Alternative premises need to be found. The URC chapel is already in use as a community facility and represents the most appropriate (and possibly the only) opportunity to find a new site for the project.

4 The need for a more developed retail facility was identified over 8 years ago when the Bowerchalke Post Office and Stores became threatened and finally closed. At the time I was Chairman of the Bowerchalke Parish Council, and the community made considerable efforts to secure a new site. In the event the only potential site available in Bowerchalke was not ultimately secured and Bowerchalke residents have, since then, relied on the Broad Chalke Post Office and Stores. If the Broad Chalke Post Office and shop are closed without being replaced, the closest Post Office will be in . Shops and Post Offices in Sixpenny Handley and are not accessible by public transport.

I believe that the example set by many other village communities who have established shops of this kind should be taken as a positive indication that not only can such enterprises be successful in purely commercial terms, but that they contribute crucially to the maintenance and development of community cohesion. The introduction of a coffee bar/cafe in the projected unit will facilitate this process.

In a valley with limited public transport links there is an intensified need for a highly local enterprise which will, additionally, help to promote the use of local produce, both food and non- food, and will reduce the need for residents to travel significant distances for everyday necessities.

I hope that you see evidence of widespread support for this initiative, without which the character of the valley will suffer badly, possibly even reducing these communities to dormitory status. If you would like additional information about the unsuccessful Bowerchalke experience and the impact that it had on the community, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Brian Mascall