Template Letters
Here are some sample letters to inspire you.
Simply copy and paste into your favourite email editor.
Example Letter 1
Letter to Nigel Huddleston, MP, which was also copied in to Vic Allison, Mark Goodge, Sarah Williams, Patrick Boyd and Marion Griffiths
mark.goodge@wychavon.net; nigel.huddleston.mp@parliament.uk>; vic.allison@wychavon.gov.uk;
We write to inform you in the strongest terms of our objection regarding the proposal put forward by Dr Evans of Prince Henry’s School in Victoria Avenue.
It appears every man and his dog knew about this but Dr Evans chose not to include nor inform the local residents, all of whom would be directly impacted should these proposed expansions go ahead. It should be noted that this is not the first time the school has treated their neighbours with contempt.
There are countless reasons why there should be no more expansion of what is already a behemoth of an institution.
- Access to the school is in effect a single lane with few passing places.
- Heavy plant using the unadopted Inches Lane over the years have seriously eroded and damaged the surface, compromising the sewer system running underground. We assume the school will be liable should damage occur to these old pipes? The dust, pollution and noise during the Summer months that we have endured over the years from all this plant machinery has been unbearable and distressing to the residents whose properties back onto the Lane.
- The smell from the now excessive increase in sewage from the school is bad in the Winter but unbearable in the Summer when we have to close our windows. This has resulted in some residents increasing the height of their stench pipes to try and blow the smell away.
- As far as the theatre proposal goes, we are unsure of the maths calculation used but a 400 seat increase to 1000 is incorrect. The seating is already at 312 so we make that an increase of nearly 700. More sewage (See 3. Above)
- The Henrician is already under used as various events have been cancelled and, if you look at the drop in total gross income since 2021 it actually shows a sorry picture. How would an increase in size improve this.
There are other reasons why this scheme should not be considered which will be brought up at a later date should an application come to fruition, but, maybe it is time to consider a) a larger site for the school with better infrastructure in place and b) utilising the proposed improvement of our decaying town centre to include an entertainment facility which would reinvigorate our town bringing in much needed revenue to the bars and cafes, business for the taxi rank and visitors to the beautiful park. Visit Malvern theatre on a Summer’s evening and you will see how vibrant a place it is.
Evesham could be too but it needs the vision and willpower of those in power to make it so and not to be swayed by the self-aggrandisement of a very small minority of people who have no care for their local community.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully give you food for thought.
Yours faithfully,
Example Letter 2
Letter to WCC Councillor Satinder Bell regarding the temporary one-way system which WCC are going to trial.
It would mean vehicles coming into the school along Victoria Avenue and out along Windsor Road/Cambria Road
Dear Councillor Bell,
At a residents meeting last night, we were informed that you have, on residents behalf, agreed to a proposed Temporary Traffic Regulation Order instituting a trial one-way system in Victoria Avenue, Windsor Road and Cambria Road.
If this is indeed the case, could you clarify:
- who proposed such a scheme and for what purpose?
- what research has been done (and by whom) to suggest that traffic will be able to flow more freely, and what impact there will be on residents and their parking and mitigations to address this?
- when & how is it proposed to operate and how will it be managed and communicated to residents?
- when will those affected by such a restriction be consulted?
- how will the effects of the trial be evaluated, and by whom, and how that evaluation will be available for public scrutiny?
I look forward to your timely response and hope that there will be appropriate opportunity for residents to make representations to you regarding this matter.
Kind regards,
Example Letter 3
Letter to Councillor Kearsey used when the news first broke but may still be useful:
I am writing regarding the proposed development of the Henrician Arts Centre at Prince Henry's High School, Evesham.
I have copied in Cllr John Clatworthy (Mayor of Evesham), Evesham Town Council Town Clerk, Cllr Mark Goodge, Cllr Mary Tasker, Nigel Huddleston MP, Vic Allison and Mr Butcher (the Chair of the Governors, Prince Henry's High School) for their responses and for their information.
We as a community are extremely disappointed that plans for an expansion of the Henrician to a 1000 seater auditorium (a venue which would be used by the school, for conferences and as an arts centre) were announced at a performance of the school's musical 'Anything Goes' recently, together with artists drawings and funding proposals and a plea to parents for their support.
As you will appreciate, without the facts, we are not in any position to make an informed opinion about the plans for the Henrician and much is left to speculation. This is extremely unfortunate and we would urge you, the school and all involved in the plans so far to remedy this as soon as possible to improve the consultation process and the transparency of the planning of this project.
A public meeting should be part of this, where we could ask questions of the school, the developer and the council about how this is to be funded, the procurement process, fully researched and proven advantages of the plans to the local arts community, partnership working with and canvassed support from them, and plans to mitigate the impact on the residential area of the building works, increased traffic flow upon completion, evening light and noise pollution etc.
As you will appreciate, without the facts, we are not in any position to make an informed opinion about the plans for the Henrician and much is left to speculation. This is extremely unfortunate and we would urge you, the school and all involved in the plans so far to remedy this as soon as possible to improve the consultation process and the transparency of the planning of this project.
A public meeting should be part of this, where we could ask questions of the school, the developer and the council about how this is to be funded, the procurement process, fully researched and proven advantages of the plans to the local arts community, partnership working with and canvassed support from them, and plans to mitigate the impact on the residential area of the building works, increased traffic flow upon completion, evening light and noise pollution etc.
I for one was under the impression that the district council was in the process of purchasing Riverside with a view to developing it as a cultural and retail hub for the town - a logical and welcome move as the road infrastructure, parking, facilities and access provisions are already in place for this building to include a large community and possible performance space. It would also rejuvenate a historically important building and the town centre as a whole, making it more attractive to businesses and the public.
There are also many night time economy businesses surrounding it which would benefit from the development, bringing a vibrant and sustainable heart to our town. An expanded theatre at the Henrician will be a destination venue, with very little positive effect on the local night-time economy, and will have a huge impact on residents in the surrounding area, from the 4 years of building work through to the use of the facility in the future. The development and restoration of the Riverside site is a far more logical option.
There are also many night time economy businesses surrounding it which would benefit from the development, bringing a vibrant and sustainable heart to our town. An expanded theatre at the Henrician will be a destination venue, with very little positive effect on the local night-time economy, and will have a huge impact on residents in the surrounding area, from the 4 years of building work through to the use of the facility in the future. The development and restoration of the Riverside site is a far more logical option.
We firmly believe that the roads around the school are simply not capable of accommodating the volume of traffic a 1000 seater auditorium would generate, regardless of how many parking spaces the school has planned. A one way system around the school (Victoria Avenue for entry and Cambria Road for exit) has been mooted, but we are all of the opinion that this would be unworkable due to the narrowness and right hand corner of Cambria Road, particularly for vehicles larger than a family car.
These are just some of our concerns. We as a community have many more, but as I have said, we have not been party to, invited to or involved in any discussions held so far. In the absence of this, we are not even being given the opportunity to ask questions about something which will significantly impact us.
I cannot find reference to the planning application on the council planning portal yet. Residents are entitled to be involved in this process in good time and have their views taken into account. I look forward to hearing what the plans are for facilitating this in a timely manner to allow us to express our concerns and hold our elected representatives accountable for the environmental, planning and financial decisions made in our names.
I very much look forward to hearing from you with your responses to our points.
Yours sincerely,