Save Our Green Belt!

Phil Bateman, the Labour Candidate for Wednesfield North, has today called upon local landowners and South Staffordshire District Council to re-assure local residents over the status of the Green Belt that buffers Essington from Wolverhampton and is opposite their homes.

Residents in Ashmore Park, Wednesfield have expressed their concerns to me over the new planning guidelines, issued by the Coalition Government, which are intended to simplify the planning process and make development easier.

However, the new “National Planning Policy Framework” is thought by many to place the existing Green Belts under threat with a new presumption in favour of development.

Phil said “many people in Kitchen Lane and Linthouse Lane, Wednesfield will be very concerned at the prospect of losing the Green Belt which they see as very precious. Currently the land has great amenity value criss crossed by public footways, it is well used for leisure purposes by local residents and its potential loss could affect the quality of life enjoyed by local people”

“South Staffordshire District Council as the planning authority for the area could put residents minds at ease with a commitment to protect the Green Belt from inappropriate development. I would appeal to them to do just that. ”