I am the ward councillor for Bathavon West and write with regard to the Core Strategy Consultation Document.
I have spoken at many meetings on this issue, including at the full council meeting in October, public meetings including at Corston and Whitchurch, council briefings and parish meetings.
My views are well-known to those who attended those meetings.
I am totally opposed to any wholesale urban extension of Bath into the surrounding villages and agricultural land; whether that land is in the green belt or not.
There is a need for additional housing for local people but not, in my view, on the scale suggested by central Government and thereby included in the core strategy document.
I fully support those residents in Newton St Loe and neighbouring villages who oppose the possibility of 2,000 houses being built on agricultural land west of Twerton.
catalog printing I also take this opportunity of reminding readers of the views of the Conservative Party in regard to this issue.
Firstly, at the national level David Cameron has made it crystal clear that under a Conservative Government the Whitehall-driven house-building targets will be scrapped, with decision-making powers instead handed back to local councils.
Computer Peripherals This is important, as the council's current core strategy options consultation document is based on Government-dictated housing numbers and locations.
Secondly, at the local level, as part of the core strategy document Conservatives have set out three clear policies: brownfield first; infrastructure upfront; jobs alongside housing.
If these criteria cannot be met and Government growth- projections do not materialise, then the ambitious level of house- building currently included in the core strategy document cannot be right.
It is important to remember that the current proposals are just that - proposals.
The core strategy consultation process gives local people a chance to have their say, and submissions can be made via the B&NES council website until January 15.
It is therefore very important that residents make their views loud and clear on what level of new building they deem acceptable. It is these views which will then inform the council on what levels of house-building are feasible as the core strategy process moves forward.
For the record, while understanding the need for the core strategy document to be published for consultation, I was one of only five councillors who voted against it because of the inclusion of options pandora beads wholesale for house-building on green belt land, some of which surrounds Newton St Loe.
Councillor Vic Clarke (Cons, Bathavon West)
Other articles:
http://www.oururbanspace.com/blog/view/id_572/title_NEC-title-could-be-in-reach-fo/http://mywatches.mundua.com/2010/03/18/two-officers-hurt-in-pursuit/
