As requested. My actual email is in HTML format and better laid out.
I was tempted to note that the residents are only complaining about traffic to/from the rescue (that they don't want) but presumably not the usual vehicles in any street related to home shopping deliveries, post, utilities, etc (that they do want).
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing regarding the above planning application and in support of Ms Caroline Collings and the Rabbit Residence Rescue. On the basis of the reasons and analysis set out below, I would urge South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) to grant the planning permission sought by Ms Collings so that the Rabbit Residence Rescue may continue to operate on its present site on the basis of security for its long-term future.
My Personal Situation
For the avoidance of doubt I can confirm that I have no commercial connections whatsoever with any of the parties to this matter and write as a private individual.
I do, however, have a personal interest in the care and welfare of rabbits. As a family, we have the privilege of owning a rescued mini-lop house rabbit. She is an intelligent, inquisitive and affectionate creature who is a wonderful companion animal and a valued member of our family.
Rabbit Rescues in General
As the SCDC is undoubtedly aware, there are approximately 33,000 unwanted rabbits in rescues throughout the UK. In general, these rabbits have arrived there through no fault of their own. Often, they are purchased from pet shops or breeders with little prior research by the owners regarding the long-term commitment required and the costs of rabbit ownership. Rabbits are also often purchased as children’s pets on the children’s assurances that they will look after them. When the child loses interest or leaves home the rabbit is treated as “disposable” and the parents then seek to “get rid” of the rabbit. In addition, there is widespread irresponsible breeding (both planned and unplanned) resulting in large numbers of baby rabbits with little thought given to their future homes and welfare. In the wild, rabbits are prey animals and their biology has evolved to produce large numbers of offspring. The well-known phrase “breeding like rabbits” is entirely justified by the biological facts.
These numerous unwanted rabbits are then abandoned and, if they are fortunate, eventually arrive at a rescue. The rescues then provide veterinary treatment, essential vaccinations, neutering and socialisation. Finally, they then seek to re‑home the rabbits in what are usually referred to as their “forever homes” where they can live out their lives as valued pets.
The Rabbit Residence Rescue
In my opinion, the Rabbit Residence Rescue, which is organised and managed by Ms Caroline Collings, is one of the finest rabbit rescues in the UK and makes a major contribution to the re-homing, care and welfare of rabbits. Caroline has also developed significant personal knowledge of rabbits and their care. In addition to the rescue, there is also the Rabbit Residence’s website which provides invaluable information and guidance on caring for and living with rabbits. It is an invaluable public resource that I have used myself on several occasions and numerous other people have undoubtedly done likewise.
Analysis
I have carefully perused the following Council documents:
SCDS Planning Application S/1956/09/F submitted by Mr Derek Collins and the supporting documentation attached thereto.
The following document from the Great and Little Chishill Parish Council.
MINUTES OF MEETING
Great and Little Chishill Parish Council Meeting
Venue: Village Hall
Date: Wednesday 27th January 2010
Great and Little Chishill Parish Council Meeting
Venue: Village Hall
Date: Wednesday 27th January 2010
Comments
In the Parish Council Minutes, the planning application in respect of the Rabbit Residence Rescue is Item 5.2. Although the SCDC will undoubtedly have a copy of these Minutes, for convenience of reference I have reproduced the relevant section below.
S/1930/08/F Land South West of Wallers Close, Mr D Collings, Removal of Condition 1 to allow permanent use as a rabbit sanctuary.
The Clerk read out a letter from residents of Wallers Close which illustrated their concerns about the planning application. A discussion took place as to the past and current problems associated with the rabbit sanctuary. It was unanimously decided to recommend refusal for this application due to reasons including the traffic and parking issues in Wallers Close (as reported and hi-lighted by Mr Rutland from the housing department), problems associated with waste and its removal, the size and management structure of the site and the fact that these issues have been causing problems for three years and never improve.
It was noted that no member of the Collings family was present to present their case for the Planning Permission.
Taking each of the reasons for refusal of the planning application in turn, my comments are set out below:
Traffic and Parking Issues in Wallers Close
Although the Minutes refer to a report by SCDC’s Mr Rutland I note that the contents of this report are not included in the Minutes that have been made available on the Parish Council’s website.
I also note (with concern) that, although the matter refers to traffic and parking issues the author of the report is identified as a member of the Housing Department. In respect of traffic and parking issues I would have expected such a report to have originated from qualified staff within SCDC’s Traffic Management department. In practical terms and in order to have sufficient merit I would expect such a report to contain specific details of each and every traffic and parking issue to which it refers plus supporting photographs and conclusive evidence that such problems were caused exclusively by the activities of the Rabbit Residence rescue.
On the basis of my personal experience of living in a similar street, many traffic/parking problems and disputes originate from the irresponsible and inconsiderate activities of the residents themselves, their guests and tradesmen’s vehicles when undertaking work at residents’ houses and cannot, reasonably, simply be ascribed to one particular and infrequent user.
I have perused the Site Plan (which is included as part of the planning application) which shows Wallers Close and the access to the rescue. I have also perused Google maps (publicly available online) for the SG8 8SJ postcode. By selecting “satellite” and then zooming in on the map, it is possible to get an aerial view of Wallers Close and the rescue. It shows the cars in the street at the time the picture was taken. There are several cars present but there would be no particular problems for a vehicle getting past them. The image is copyright 2010 but with no specific date. However, I assume that it’s fairly typical of the conditions in the street during daylight.
I also note that:
In accordance with the SCDC’s own website, the mobile library parks in Wallers Road every two weeks. I would envisage that this vehicle is probably larger and, on average, utilises the road for longer than the time taken by the Rabbit Rescue’s waste disposal vehicle to transit the street.
A key for the Chishill Windmill can be collected “at any time” from a house in Wallers Close and it is not clear what amount of traffic such activities generate.
As detailed in the “Statement and Supporting Evidence for Application”, Ms Caroline Collings has rigorous procedures to minimise traffic. Specifically:
- Volunteers are limited in number.
- Visitors are restricted to certain days and are specifically requested to park in the village car park and access the rescue on foot. As pedestrians they can not, therefore, be construed as contributing to parking/traffic issues.
- Waste disposal movements are undertaken during quiet periods to minimise their impact.
Rabbits inherently generate waste as part of their care (as do humans). As indicated above, this is dealt with using a covered vehicle during quiet periods.
Comment re “causing problems for three years and never improve”
In my opinion, this statement is simply inaccurate and not supported by the facts. As detailed in the planning application and its supporting documentation, Ms Caroline Collings has made numerous changes to minimise the impact of the rabbit rescue and address the concerns of her neighbours. Although not included in the Minutes it must also be noted that Caroline undertook activities to obtain specific details of any concerns from the residents regarding the rescue and then sought to address those concerns of which she had been advised.
It must also be noted that the location of the rescue is such that it is substantially obscured by the surrounding trees and is barely visible to the residents. This is clearly demonstrated in the photographs supporting the application.
Conclusion
On the basis of the forgoing, I believe that Caroline has done everything that could reasonably be expected of her in order to make the Rabbit Residence Rescue a “good neighbour” to others and to minimise its impact upon the local residents. In my opinion it is one of the finest rabbit rescues in the UK and provides an essential resource for abandoned and unwanted rabbits. It has an enviable record of success in re‑homing rabbits and also provides invaluable resources to educate the public regarding rabbits and their care.
I would respectfully request the SCDC to grant the planning permission that Caroline has sought and allow the Rabbit Residence Rescue to continue in its present location.
Yours faithfully,
:lol:
