Inbox

13.07.15

Green belt land is meant to stop urban sprawl

I have read your article and hope you can help. We live in Staffordshire Moorlands in Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook Parish. Staffordshire Moorlands District Council have proposed sites on green belt land for housing development and we are in the consultation period at present.

There is an action group and information is online but many residents are unaware of these proposals as the council still have not informed households. We will attend a drop-in session at the local village hall and have letters of objection.

We live in a quiet area with seven character houses on an unadopted road which frontages maintain, which leads into agricultural green belt land, mature woodland and a public footpath runs along the unadopted track. We have a variety of wildlife, invertebrates, birds including owls, and bat colonies. The land is a natural habitat for many species although not an SSI site. The proposed housing will be devastating and I wonder if you can help us in any way to stop this development. Green belt land is meant to stop urban sprawl. The openness and character of this area would be devastated if such development takes place.

Re: The importance of protecting green belt land

The full objection is below

Objection to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council regarding the Site Options and Development Boundaries, Local Plan 2015

I have been very saddened that our district council is even contemplating sacrificing green belt land for proposed housing development. I have read many articles, from government policies to local plans, and cannot believe how much of our green belt land is being used for housing development. Proposals are in direct contravention of numerous government policies and guidelines concerning greenbelt development.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England states that Green Belt is one of our most valued planning tools, yet it is under a level of threat unprecedented in recent times. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, March 2012) stated clearly that the Government attached great importance to the Green Belt and that it will seek to maintain existing levels of protection. Brownfield sites must be looked at as a viable option.

The situation I and many residents find ourselves in is objecting to (and trying to make sure that the parish and local residents are fully aware of) the implications. Our local library has been given all documentation for viewing from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) but when I went to check on the plans, the librarian had to go in a back room to find the box given to them. I viewed the plans then found a letter from SMDC asking for the poster with the drop-in consultation sessions itemised to be displayed. I asked the librarian about it politely and was shot down. “I decide what goes up in this library.”

I was shocked by the response and said I thought it was very important because it was developing green belt land and open space in the community. These are the problems we are facing when people are uninformed. Surely a display could be sensitively put up seeing that it is a public amenity.

We have an action group and are at present still informing householders about the importance of responses to SMDC, making sure that residents are aware of parish council meetings and consultation sessions.

Biodiversity and conservation is an extremely important issue. The Green Belt in question off our unadopted road, which is also a public footpath, contains to the south a mature woodland with TPOs, mature hedgerows and both long and short grassland, which over the years has been maintained by cutting but not to the boundaries by the land owner. This has preserved natural habitats and ecosystems. There is a diversity of wildlife and invertebrates but no surveys have taken place. There are areas of wetland which could who knows have newts etc. which are protected. We have a healthy environment where artificial light is kept to a minimum. There are bat colonies in the wood and nests in the character buildings so any development would affect their flight paths and roosting sites. Habitat connectivity would also be a major issue for all wildlife pre, during and post development. The fact of clearing vegetation would impact immediately. Buzzards, owls and sparrow hawks frequent the fields. The area we live in is quiet and a haven for all wildlife; any development would be intrusive on the Green Belt and completely change the openness that Green Belt affords.

Infrastructure is another massive problem. The adjoining road only has partial pavements and surface water flooding is an ongoing issue at the junction nearby. Site lines from our unadopted road are poor and planning permission for one low level building to be used as a stable was refused due to poor site lines and extra traffic in 1997. The proposed Development Plan is for 27 houses minimum, so with possibly two cars per household, that means with existing cars from the seven properties on the road, there could be 74 vehicles using the junction and road. It is ridiculous and the council needs to seriously consider this issue and remove these sites from their plan.

I could go on and on but I would be interested if anyone has encountered similar problems. I would love to know if anyone has been successful in persuading their council to develop on brownfield sites rather than Green Belt.

Brenda Hewitt, Blythe Bridge

Comments

Cllr Sue Prochak   13/07/2015 at 16:17

I guess you're not alone. Here in the village of Robertsbridge 155 new homes have been imposed on us. Inevitably this means green field development and we are in an AONB! The only way forward it seems is to get a Neighbourhood Plan for your parish. This is a method of allowing residents to have their say and select the least worst result. However, it's time consuming and means that an eager developer could jump in before its completion.

Add your comment

public sector executive tv

more videos >

latest healthcare news

Leeds’ Clean Air Zone Plans Suspended for the foreseeable future

19/08/2020Leeds’ Clean Air Zone Plans Suspended for the foreseeable future

Leeds City Council have today (August 19) announced that their plans for a Clean Air Zone within the city may not have to go ahead due to lower e... more >
Apprenticeships on the rise across London boroughs

19/08/2020Apprenticeships on the rise across London boroughs

According to recent statistics by London Councils, apprenticeships directly created by London boroughs are up 14% on the previous  year. ... more >
Colleges set to receive £200m in Funding

19/08/2020Colleges set to receive £200m in Funding

Over 180 colleges are set to receive a share of £200m, in order to repair and refurbish buildings and campuses. The funding makes up p... more >

editor's comment

25/10/2017Take a moment to celebrate

Devolution, restructuring and widespread service reform: from a journalist’s perspective, it’s never been a more exciting time to report on the public sector. That’s why I could not be more thrilled to be taking over the reins at PSE at this key juncture. There could not be a feature that more perfectly encapsulates this... read more >

last word

Prevention: Investing for the future

Prevention: Investing for the future

Rob Whiteman, CEO at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance (CIPFA), discusses the benefits of long-term preventative investment. Rising demand, reducing resource – this has been th... more > more last word articles >
Leeds’ Clean Air Zone Plans Suspended for the foreseeable future

19/08/2020Leeds’ Clean Air Zone Plans Suspended for the foreseeable future

Leeds City Council have today (August 19) announced that their plans for a Clean Air Zone within the city may not have to go ahead due to lower emissions during the lockdown period. The coun... more >
Apprenticeships on the rise across London boroughs

19/08/2020Apprenticeships on the rise across London boroughs

According to recent statistics by London Councils, apprenticeships directly created by London boroughs are up 14% on the previous  year. Between April 2019 and March 2020, London boroug... more >

the raven's daily blog

Cleaner, greener, safer media: Increased ROI, decreased carbon

23/06/2020Cleaner, greener, safer media: Increased ROI, decreased carbon

Evolution is crucial in any business and Public Sector Executive is no different. Long before Covid-19 even became a thought in the back of our minds, the team at PSE were looking at innovative ways to deliver its content to our audience in a more dynamic and responsive manner. We’re conscious to take the time to both prot... more >
read more blog posts from 'the raven' >

comment

Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Being on the receiving end of some “thanks” can make communit... more >
How community-led initiatives can help save the housing shortage

19/06/2019How community-led initiatives can help save the housing shortage

Tom Chance, director at the National Community Land Trust Network, argues that community-led initiatives are a productive way of helping to solve... more >
Aberdeen's green transport fleet attracting international attention

19/06/2019Aberdeen's green transport fleet attracting international attention

Aberdeen City Council’s hydrogen spokesperson, councillor Philip Bell, highlights the Granite City’s determination to play a leading ... more >
A fifth of public sector workers have never received a thank you from the people they serve

13/06/2019A fifth of public sector workers have never received a thank you from the people they serve

A fifth of the country’s public sector workers say they have NEVER received a ‘thank you’ for doing their job as Public Service... more >

interviews

Artificial intelligence: the devil is in the data

17/12/2018Artificial intelligence: the devil is in the data

It’s no secret that the public sector and its service providers need to invest in technology to help make better use of their resources. Bu... more >
Digital innovation in the public sector: The future is now

17/12/2018Digital innovation in the public sector: The future is now

One of the public sector’s key technology partners has recently welcomed a new member to its team. Matt Spencer, O2’s head of public ... more >
New Dorset Councils CEO on the creation of a new unitary: ‘This is going to be the right decision for Dorset’

05/11/2018New Dorset Councils CEO on the creation of a new unitary: ‘This is going to be the right decision for Dorset’

The new chief executive of one of the new unitary authorities in Dorset has outlined his approach to culture and work with employees, arguing tha... more >
Keeping the momentum of the Northern Powerhouse

15/10/2018Keeping the momentum of the Northern Powerhouse

On 6 September, the biggest decision-makers of the north joined forces to celebrate and debate how to drive innovation and improvement through th... more >

public sector focus

View all News