I am writing to express our community’s strong objection to the proposed Vistry development project, which seeks to remove several acres of forest near the Locks Heath Shopping Centre into an estate of 70 houses. 

This project would cause significant disruption to both the environment and the infrastructure of our local area.

Locks Heath is a small town on the edge of Southampton, with a population of around 9,000 people. It is already struggling to meet the needs of its residents. Brookfield Community School currently holds around 1,820 students and is at full capacity—along with many other local schools (i.e Locks Heath Junior School). 

READ MORE: Objections hit 120 as plans to axe trees for 70 homes spark fury 

Our healthcare system is equally strained. Lockswood Surgery is under immense pressure. Appointments can take several weeks to book, and blood tests for children are no longer offered due to lack of specialised nurses.

This new development is within walking distance of both the GP and Brookfield School, and was one of the main points made by people who signed the petition, people said they were worried that everyday life will be made even more challenging.

Locks Heath has always been known as a calm, quiet place. Many of its residents are in their 60s and 70s, having chosen this town to enjoy a peaceful retirement, which likely wasn’t the cheapest option. This development risks undoing the very qualities that make this place special. It threatens to cause unnecessary disruption to so many.

I’m going to move onto perhaps a more worldwide issue, one I personally consider more important: the wildlife.

In just two acres of woodland, there are likely thousands of animals living right now.

From nesting birds (which were acknowledged in the project wildlife specification), to squirrels, mice, insects, and more—these creatures rely on that space to live, feed, raise their young, and survive, just like us, they are no different from us, therefore we should treat them like one of us- even if they aren’t.

We can’t be fully aware of the extent of what will be destroyed, but we do know that the damage will be permanent if (the council) makes the decision to go through with this development.

As a young person leading this petition, I’m thinking about the future—my own, and that of the generations after me.

It can’t just be about the housing crisis, which I am also aware is a problem. 

We desperately want to live in a world where we care about these things - there are other places to build houses, abandoned homes, car parks, old shops that can be turned into apartments, even fields.
Poppy Nestor, 14
Locks Heath

  • On behalf of 697 petitioners in Locks Heath and the others who helped along the way, especially Harriet Saunders, Eliza Writh-Smith, and Eva Scottorn.