Longwell Green residents, MP Chris Skidmore and local councillors Christine Price and John Calway are celebrating after saving the local Green Belt from being bulldozed by developers after a hard-fought community campaign.
The long-running campaign collected nearly 1,000 petition signatures and a protest demonstration was held with over 200 local residents turning up to show the strength of support for their local Green Belt.
The victory comes as an independent Planning Inspector dismissed an appeal for 83 houses on a Green Belt site at Williams Close, Longwell Green, following a four-day appeal hearing.
Cllr Christine Price (Con, Longwell Green), who attended the appeal hearing, welcomed the news:
“The tireless efforts of local residents made a huge difference in terms of demonstrating the strength of local feeling that there was against this hugely inappropriate application.”
“The Green Belt is there for a reason and I am pleased to see that the inspector has exposed as nonsense the developer’s claim that special circumstances existed for such a damaging development.”
Fellow Longwell Green Conservative councillor, John Calway, added:
“This result is fantastic. Residents’ efforts, in support of the council, have really paid off and they should be really proud of how they have protected their neighbourhood and our local Green belt for generations to come.”
Chris Skidmore MP, who submitted a written appeal against the application, commented:
“I am delighted that the Inspector has decided in favour of residents and common sense.”
“Together we have fought a strong campaign to defend the Kingswood Green Belt with nearly 1,000 people signing our petition and taking the concerns of residents all the way to parliament and the government.”
This was the final chapter of this saga, which is now over. I would like to thank everyone who supported us; this is a clear example of what the local community can achieve when we all come together.”
Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council
