Local MP Chris Skidmore has launched a petition for local residents to sign, opposing the latest attempt to build on Hanham Green Belt.
Last month, the MP met with over 50 residents at Hencliffe Way, the site of where an additional 150 houses may be built by Redrow on adjoining green belt land, on fields known as the Batch.
Chris has launched the petition and you can find it below. This petition will be live until it is presented to South Gloucestershire Council.
In addition, Chris has written to the Chief Executive of South Gloucestershire Council, Dave Perry, calling on the council to ensure that it maintains its green belt protection. A copy of the letter is below.
Chris said:
"Ever since I became MP for Kingswood, and indeed since I was the Conservative candidate here back in 2008, for fifteen years I have fought alongside local residents to protect our local green belt land, and maintain the legal protection that this must bring to our countryside. There is no point having green belt status if it can't be protected, and I am determined that this latest battle with developers must be overcome. There are other areas of non-green belt land and brownfield land that must be regenerated first- for example the former Tesco site in Hanham. Developers simply can't be allowed to cherry pick land that is vital for biodiversity and nature, and to keep nature alive in suburban areas. I am proud to have never lost a battle when it comes to protecting our green belt, and I am determined that for as long as I am MP for my home area, that green belt will be protected. I hope all residents will feel able to join me, local councillors and the Hanham District Green Belt society in defending our green belt land'.
Letter to South Gloucestershire Council is below:
Dear Mr Perry,
Recently I met with a group of local residents in Hanham regarding the proposed housing development south of Hencliffe Way in Hanham, on land known as The Batch, to build around 150 houses on Green Belt land.
If this application is formally proceeded with, myself as the local MP, local district councillors, the Hanham Green Belt Society and local residents will be strongly opposing this attempt to build on green belt land. Green Belt land such as the Hanham Green Belt has always been protected, and should continue to be preserved, especially in areas such as Hanham where green space is much cherished by the local community.
Residents are rightly concerned that this application seeks to place housing on land that has been designated special protection, at the same time as being agricultural land and close by woodland environments and the river Avon, a protected natural habitat for which development here would prove detrimental.
I am gathering a petition of local residents to oppose this planning application, should it be formally processed, however I am keen to seek reassurance from South Gloucestershire Council that the council intends to give full consideration to The Batch’s Green Belt status for any potential future planning application.
Yours sincerely,
Chris