Pitstone Development Plan, Green Space Open Land in front of The Crescent. Local Green Space.

Dear Sir/Madam,

The department of health (2004) advises people to do “at least 30 minutes [exercise] a day of at least moderate intensity of five or more days a week”. Only 35 % of men and 24% of women in are active to this level.

I am currently not overweight, I exercise on this green space in front of The Crescent, , which is opposite to my home. I walk and use the bench for religious purposes to meditate. It provides a fantastic alternative to the more formal sports ground on the other side of the road, which if often used for formal cricket, football training and matches.

This green space is one of the main reasons I purchased my home in Old Farm, Pitstone, the light and green space it provides is wonderful. I also pick the healthy apples from one of the trees and use them in cooking. I became a resident of as a result of purchasing this home 2 years ago. I pay council tax and now because of the location of where I live, I am employed by Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue, I am a positive, active member of the county.

A Dutch study found that people living near green space experienced fewer health complaints and had better physical and mental health then those living in an urban environment. (de Vries et al., 2001) The green space opposite to my home is also used by myself and others for religious, meditation purposes, finding some calm in order to relax and de-stress. This has massive significant to my and other’s mental health and wellbeing.

I fear that if this green space is developed, build upon or removed I will become another unhealthy, overweight statistic, which Buckinghamshire County Council are doing so much to avoid as part of the Health and Wellbeing agenda.

Research shows an inverse relationship between proximity of open green spaces in urban areas and levels of stress (Grahn and Stigsdotter, 2003).

It would be of great disappointment and contradiction to the Health and Wellbeing agenda. If Buckinghamshire County Council remove this green space from Pitstone’s residents.

I support the Pitstone Neighbour Plan in protecting this Local Green Space in front of The Crescent for myself, for current and future residents of this lovely village.

Kind regards,

Oliver Franklin Community Safety Officer

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, Brigade Headquarters Stocklake, , Buckinghamshire, HP20 1BD.