The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has confirmed that green belt land should be accorded the ‘highest protection’, in response to a petition submitted by Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire.
The Government Department went on to state that most development on green belt land is inappropriate and that it should be approved only in ‘very special circumstances.’
Gavin submitted his petition for the preservation of the local green belt to the House of Commons, last month.
A total of 4,281 South Staffordshire residents signed the petition against building on greenbelt land at Landywood Lane, between Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay.
The proposed development of 141 homes was thrown out by South Staffordshire District Council, late last year. However, there is still a risk that the Planning Inspectorate could overturn the decision.
Not only would these proposals lead to the erosion of the distinct identity of South Staffordshire’s individual villages, but they could cause substantial environmental damage and increase the risk of flooding in the area.
In its response, DCLG referred to a statement made, last year, by the Under-Secretary Secretary of State.
In this statement, Mr. Brandon Lewis MP said that the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, The Rt. Hon Eric Pickles MP, considered the single issue of unmet demand for housing was unlikely to outweigh harm to the Green Belt and other harm to constitute the very special circumstances necessary to obtain planning approval.
According the DCLG, inspectors must weigh all the submitted arguments and evidence carefully. They must also have regard to all material considerations in a case, including policies in the development plan for the area, national policies in the National Planning Policy Framework, Written Ministerial Statements, the views expressed by all parties, and any other relevant facts and circumstances.
On the response, Gavin said: “The Department for Communities and Local Government has made its position clear. Green belt land should be protected as a priority and residents' views should be consulted. When it was submitted, the petition had 4,281 signatures. I would argue the opinion of local residents is overwhelmingly clear.
“To go ahead with building these homes would have a massive impact not just on existing residents of both Cheslyn Hay and Great Wyrley, but also on future generations. Once we build on our green belt land, we can never get it back. I strongly hope that the authorities will take account of the petition and this response when making any decision.”