RESIDENTS URGED TO FIGHT TO PROTECT GREEN BELT LAND (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

RESIDENTS URGED TO FIGHT TO PROTECT GREEN BELT LAND

July 7, 2009 12:00 AM

Liberal Democrat Councillors in Heworth Without and Osbaldwick are urging residents to have their say on future plans for development in the city and to help in the fight to protect green belt land.

Heworth Without Councillor Nigel Ayre said, "In the next few days residents of Heworth Without, Osbaldwick and Derwent will be receiving a consultation document with their copy of 'Your City'. This consultation will allow residents to have their say on the future of land use in the city, and most importantly it will allow them to express their views on the future of green belt land."

"The Liberal Democrats on the Council have been fighting hard to ensure green belt land is protected from development and it is important that residents also ensure that they have their say."

Councillor Ayre said government targets for building new houses in the city were putting the green belt under threat. He said, "The government have set a target of building 850 new homes per year in York, under the conditions the government have set green belt land will have to be developed in order to meet this target."

"The government refuses to recalculate the target despite the recession having a clear impact on the number of houses needed in the city. They also refuse to allow windfall sites like those at Terry's count towards the target."

"We need to make as strong a case as possible to the government that building on the green belt in York is unacceptable and to make that case we need residents to put their views across in this consultation".

"The city cannot continue to expand forever and limits need to be put on where houses can be built."

Osbaldwick Councillor Jonathan Morley said it was clear from surveys carried out by the Lib Dems that the majority of people were opposed to developing green belt land. He said, "People see the green belt as part of the character and image of the city, our green spaces are part of what makes York such a great city to live in. The residents I have spoken to and surveyed are very clear that they want the green belt protected."

"It is very important that residents show this strength of feeling by filling in the survey and returning it to the council."

Responses to the consultation need to be returned by the 28th of August and can also be completed online at http://www.york.gov.uk/consultation/

Residents wanting more information on the plans will be able to attend a presentation at the next Derwent, Heworth Without and Osbaldwick Ward Committee meeting on July 20th.