Building on Green Belt

[Oola]

Hazel Blears has given the go-ahead to build a huge Center Parcs complex on green belt literally 5 mins down the road from where I live. This is despite her advisor and all the local planning authorities saying no, don't do it.

I don't think she really realises what she has set a precedent for.

http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/14342

Also - Local jobs? I don't think so - agency workers more like!

[CountryLady]

This just gets more and more ridiculous. I really didn't think they would grant permission. Will it affect you directly Oola?

[Oola]

The changeover days will likely increase the traffic going through my town...plus the train station may become more congested on those days too. I know of people that keep horses near to the wood and won't be able to use the bridlepath going through there anymore.

[CountryLady]

They've got no flaming idea have they?

[SummerSkye]

Hi Oola, pardon my ignorance on UK matters, what exactly is a Centre Parcs complex? Any large development in rural areas is awful. Tasmania is divided at the moment on the planned Paper Pulp Mill in the Tamar Valley. That is an enviromental disaster waiting to happen and a nasty blot on Tasmania's clean green image. I feel for you.

[SummerSkye]

I have just followed your link and read about the development. Can nothing be done? I would hate something like that close by. They are using the same arguments about jobs that the pulp mill is here. Green belts need to be preserved and should be made untouchable.

[sunflower]

I think it is also dreadful the way 'backgarden' building is endemic in the UK. An ancient village just half a mile from our house has had alot of back garden building. The result is that, although people are living in a country village, there is no room even for a small flower bed in some of the properties. So now, people cannot sell their houses, despite being on the market for two years or more. When people move to the country they also want land to grow their own veg, and at least have room to sit out the back on a warm summer's evening!

[Oola]

Center Parcs is basically a massive holiday complex. They buy up whole areas of land and develop a main complex (with indoor swimming pool, restaurants, shopping centre etc) and then the people and staff live in sort of living quarters dotted around the site.

Whilst I don't have much against Center Parcs, I do have a big problem with them building on greenbelt land. The actual complex itself will change the landscape - at present it's used by the public for walking, horseriding. They shoot there too (not a fan of that at all) and it's used as a sort of tree plantation as well. The good thing about CP is that they will fell a lot of the trees that stifle woodland floor growth, but they will bring with them lots of traffic and congestion too.

The main issue is that they're allowed to build on green belt land. It's just opening the floodgates for other companies with money to do what the hell they want.

[SummerSkye]

Are the local people campaigning against the development, sometimes action groups can have a win? I can see your point, one gets a foot in the door and sets a precedent for others until there is no green belt left. Stand up and make yourself heard before it is too late, having said that however, our state government allowed the mill development against heavy protest and yesterday the federal government upheld the decision. Further south, closer to Hobart two large waterfront developments have been overturned because of public opposition and the threat to the environment. Best of luck.

[Oola]

Yes there's been loads of campaigning to no avail sadly. I daresay though that this isn't the end of it yet! If we could find a great crested newt or dormouse on the site, I think the plans would have to be shelved, yet they continue on....

[Oola]

Update: have heard that Hazel Blears' decision could be overturned if it goes to the High Court. But this will cost anywhere between £75,000-£200,000 and the district council don't think they can foot this bill as they've been advised that there's only a 40% chance that it could be overruled. I say take a chance, and the money? Well, apparently they've spent a good deal furnishing their spanking new offices...

[Pippa]

It would be worth £200,000 to get one over on Hazel Blears.

[SummerSkye]

Councils everywhere are the same, they waste money on unimportant things and real issues are considered too expensive to contemplate. They would do well to remember who they are working for.