Green Belt in Woodford Under Threat – You Can Help!
By Editor Girl on Oct 10, 2014
Woodford Neighbourhood Forum
The recently formed Woodford Neighbourhood Forum has followed keenly the progress of the proposed development at the former Woodford Aerodrome site. The Forum has been active in pursuing appropriate and proportionate development.
As you may know, SMBC voted to approve the planning application for a development of up to 920 houses plus a 100-unit extra care unit. However, SMBC wrote to the Secretary of State last week, saying that they consider that, given the nature and scale of the Woodford Aerodrome development, the application should be presented to the Secretary of State to consider whether he concurs with the position reached by the authority.
The Secretary of State will only investigate (“call in”) the application through a public inquiry if he believes it is in contravention of Green Belt policy and guidelines. He has 21 days to decide whether to call it in or not. That clock is, we believe, already ticking.
The latest government planning guidelines, fortuitously announced on 6 October, make it clear that, once established, Green Belt boundaries should only be altered in exceptional circumstances, through the preparation or review of a Local Plan. The planning application for the Woodford Aerodrome site alters Green Belt boundaries. We do not believe SMBC has prepared or reviewed a Local Plan taking the boundary changes into account. Nor do we believe the circumstances are exceptional. Therefore, the application is in contravention of these guidelines.
The sheer scale of this proposed development will have wide ranging, adverse impacts in our area. Therefore, we urge you to make representations by post or email to the Secretary of State, The Rt Hon Eric Pickles by 18th October 2014, in order to meet the deadline. See below for contact details
Your letter should emphasise the fact that the application is, we believe, in contravention of Green Belt Policy and guidelines as there is significant erosion of the local Green Belt area. Please refer to the application – number DC/053832, Woodford Aerodrome Opportunity Site. It is concerns about Green Belt which will determine whether or not the application gets called in. We want him to call a public inquiry because giving permission for housing on land allocated as green belt raises issues of regional and national importance.
In addition, there is no harm in including other concerns you may have, such as:
• The trebling in size of this small rural community
• Loss of rural village character in Woodford – visited by walkers and cyclists from neighbouring communities
• Significant increase in traffic volumes in neighbouring communities
* Overloading of already stretched services and facilities, such as doctors and schools, in neighbouring communities
• Lack of employment opportunities in the area
Personal letters expressing your own views are preferable. However, if you would prefer to use a template letter, one can be found on the Woodford Neighbourhood Forum web site on the Woodford Community Council website: www.woodfordcommunity.co.uk/sos-letter.html.
Please write by the 18th October or email by 21st October to beat the 21 day deadline to:
The Rt Hon Eric Pickles
DCLG
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
eric.pickles@communities.gsi.gov.uk
If you miss this date please still send your letter, as it is possible that the Secretary of State may extend the deadline.
The local community needs your support. Don’t rely on others – do your bit to help
Woodford Neighbourhood Forum
c/o Woodford Community Centre, Chester Road, Woodford SK7 1PS
Email: woodfordneighbourhood@gmail.com
Website: www.woodfordneighbourhoodforum.co.uk
Article written by Woodford Neighbourhood Forum
Filed Under: Government News • Local News