A united front to save green belt (From Bournemouth Echo)

A united front to save green belt

1:00pm Tuesday 23rd September 2008

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PROTESTERS outside Poole Civic Centre calling for "no green belt development" found their feelings echoed inside by councillors meeting to respond to housing plans.

Two meetings saw councillors from authorities across the region gather to make a formal response to the latest housing figures under the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS).

The plan, which is currently under consultation, calls for 48,100 new homes in South East Dorset by 2026.

It would practically end Bournemouth's green belt, with 1,500 homes to be built on it, and includes proposals for 2,750 new homes on green belt at Lytchett Minster, Lytchett Matravers and Upton, and 2,400 on controversial sites at West Parley, Corfe Mullen and Wimborne.

The housing figures are considerably higher than those suggested in the draft Regional Spatial Strategy in 2006. The changes, proposed by secretary of state Hazel Blears, follow recommendations from an independent panel.

Councillors were united in their opposition to the increase and sent a strong message to the minister, who will take the final decision.

A strongly worded response argued there was "no clear evidence the houses" were needed. It added "The sub-region also objects in the strongest possible manner to the complete lack of commitment to any infrastructure to support the suggested housing."

The Dorset authorities also agreed to collectively seek legal advice on pursuing a judicial review - a legal challenge to the revised RSS - on the grounds of its "lack of evidence base".

Speaking at the meeting Cllr John Beesley, deputy leader of Bournemouth council, said they needed to do everything possible to prevent any development on the green belt, adding: "We need to make sure we get what legal force behind us we can to defend our position."

Terry Stewart, president of Dorset Campaign to Protect Rural England, who helped organise the protest, said following the meeting: "I'm pleased that the strategic authorities have taken a very firm line objecting to the secretary of state's proposals."

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