The planners asked us to tell them what we thought of the proposed plans to build on land above the valley and we did, 115 times! The results are in, and they say people are overwhelmingly in favour of a lower density project on this site.

Instead of the high density 'preferred development option', they want fewer houses, bigger section sizes, and to keep it all on the lower slopes with the rest of the land to be acquired by the council as a reserve.

The council's tally of the results shows that 86 out of 100 people favour lower density housing, with a further 8 wanting none at all. Only 6 replies were in favour of a more intensive project. With such a huge majority of people against this so-called preferred proposal, it will be interesting to see what happens next.

Many argued that lower densities would provide more room for planting, trees and landscaping, thereby softening the impact of the project on the surrounding environment. People told us that landscaping and planting would not only reduce the visual impact of the project and maintain the 'green space' character of the area,but would also help to encourage birdlife and improve slope stability. Retention of existing mature trees, particularly those fronting the road, is also seen as important.

In relation to the traffic issues, most people who commented do not want the road to be widened. They argued it would only make traffic flow faster, thereby reducing safety and encouraging boy racer activity. Any widening should include speed deterrents as part of any upgrade to improve the safety of pedestrians, particularly school children, cyclists and other road users, such as horse-riders. Suggestions included temporary speed restrictions, slow-zones, warning lights, traffic cameras and speed humps, roadside planting, variable road widths and setbacks.

Overwhelmingly, people want surplus land above the project, particularly areas deemed hazardous due to the risk of rockfall, to be acquired by the council as a reserve. This would allow public access with a walkway, encourage birdlife and vegetation, help prevent rockfall danger and improve visual amenity. Extensive tree planting, particularly natives, was requested by most people.

So now we know what people consider is appropriate on this site: fewer houses, larger section sizes, and to keep it all off the higher slopes by having a new reserve area, while using covenants to control the look of the project. But will our valley get what this site so obviously deserves? Will our submissions result in any addition to our valley being one we can be proud of? Let's hope so.