Thursday, July 26, 2007
Slicing away at our Green Belt
The Limes/White Lodge, Sewardstone Road: Minister says development can proceed.
Chingford & Woodford Green Liberal Democrats have learnt with dismay from the relevant Government department (called GO-East) that the Minister will allow Epping Forest District Council to proceed with its planned development on a site only just over the border with Waltham Forest. This is despite the repeated strong representations made by Lib Dem Cllr. John Beanse and the objections of Waltham Forest Council on this matter.
Even though the GO-East letter ACCEPTS that this development is "inappropriate development in the Green Belt" and refers to the "harm" that will be caused, the Minister appears to have decided that the housing need outweighs these arguments.
The plan will allow 119 dwellings on this site.
Cllr. John Beanse said: "Although of course it can always be argued that there is a need for more housing, this development could open the floodgates for more and more chopping away of the Green Belt in what is overwhelmingly a pleasantly rural area between Chingford and Waltham Abbey. There will be implications for local traffic along what is already often a very busy road and, because of the location, there could also be pressure on Waltham Forest services. This has to be seen as a most regrettable decision."
Chingford & Woodford Green Liberal Democrats have learnt with dismay from the relevant Government department (called GO-East) that the Minister will allow Epping Forest District Council to proceed with its planned development on a site only just over the border with Waltham Forest. This is despite the repeated strong representations made by Lib Dem Cllr. John Beanse and the objections of Waltham Forest Council on this matter.
Even though the GO-East letter ACCEPTS that this development is "inappropriate development in the Green Belt" and refers to the "harm" that will be caused, the Minister appears to have decided that the housing need outweighs these arguments.
The plan will allow 119 dwellings on this site.
Cllr. John Beanse said: "Although of course it can always be argued that there is a need for more housing, this development could open the floodgates for more and more chopping away of the Green Belt in what is overwhelmingly a pleasantly rural area between Chingford and Waltham Abbey. There will be implications for local traffic along what is already often a very busy road and, because of the location, there could also be pressure on Waltham Forest services. This has to be seen as a most regrettable decision."
# posted by John Beanse @ 9:19 AM 
