SIR: I write in support of Littleton & Harestock Parish Council's proposal to retain 25 hectares of land in the northern section of the Sir John Moore Barracks site as a Local Nature Reserve. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect a unique area for future generations.

There is strong evidence to show that this site is of significant ecological importance, with a wide range of flora and fauna including a number of endangered species flourishing in a rich mixed habitat. This natural biodiversity has built up over many years and the parish council's proposal could form a key element of the protected natural environment in the local area. There is every likelihood that current and future Governments will increasingly recognise the need to preserve valuable habitats, and retaining this area would enable the Local Authorities to comply with future legislation.

Climate change is finally becoming central to Government thinking, albeit slower than most of us would like, and this proposal could form an important local response to that global agenda. By contributing to the wider Nature Recovery Network it could enable more joined-up habitats, giving wildlife a better chance to recover and adapt to climate change.

One of the key lessons from Covid has been to recognise the importance of easy access to natural green spaces for the mental health and wellbeing of local communities. This area, which adjoins the eastern side of the village of Littleton, would be ideally suited to provide such access.

The barracks site has a fascinating if little known history, particularly during both world wars. In the Second World War, when it was a listening post designated HMS Flowerdown by the Royal Navy, the men and women who served there relayed coded messages from German Enigma machines to Bletchley Park, enabling Alan Turing and his fellow codebreakers to make their outstanding breakthroughs. The parish councils's proposal to incorporate a heritage trail within the site to recognise its important military history is to be welcomed.

I hope that both the MoD and the planning authority will recognise its value. Losing such a valuable natural habitat to yet more housing and a park-ride-site is an appalling idea which should be avoided at all costs.

Christopher Rice,

Main Road,

Littleton