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| Bury Free Press, 29 March 2004 |
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| ONEHOUSE villagers have stepped up their campaign against 600 houses being built on fields near their homes. |
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| Parish council chairman Cllr Arlene Cruickshanks and MP David Ruffley are to hand over a petition today to Mid Suffolk District Council leader Roger Saunders. |
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| The 200-signature petition was launched after a public meeting in November. |
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| Cllr Cruickshanks said the petition was part of an ongoing campaign. |
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| "We are objecting to a large part of our village being taken over. We are opposed to the change of use of land near Onehouse from agricultural to housing. It would change the village and area completely," she said. |
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| Cllr Cruickshanks said she was pleased with the response to the petition from villagers. |
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| "We have not got the educational or medical facilities, never mind the retail facilities necessary for such a scheme. It would take away the identity of our village," she said. |
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| Although only land bids at this stage, Cllr Cruickshanks said the parish council and residents were determined to stop a large-scale development close to the village. |
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| "We are going to fight this to the end. People come to live in Onehouse because of its rural location. They want to to live in the country," she said. |
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| Mrs Cruickshanks and Mr Ruffley are handing over the petition at 3pm at the Mid Suffolk District Council offices in Needham Market. |
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| "I hope the district councillors will be able to see from the petition the strength of feeling in the village," added Cllr Cruickshanks. |
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| The petition's wording shows opposition to the bids to change the use of land at Chilton Leys Farm, Forest Road, and land between Union Road and Finborough Road. "We consider that the provision of upwards of 600 houses on this area would be detrimental both to this rural community and to the environment surrounding the village of Onehouse," it states. |
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| Council leader Roger Saunders said the council would take note of the petition. |
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| "Planning is a statutory duty of the council. This is something that has not yet happened. It would be inappropriate to make a comment or promise about the future," he said. |
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