Note: any [Comments] are mine and do not necessarily reflect or imply the opinion of the source of the article.
PRESS ARTICLES and NEWS ITEMS - click on month of interest or scroll back through the press coverage (there is more to go on this page !
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May 2010
North-south divide in bird decline
See article here
March 2010
Bristol homes protesters: We'll fight to protect green belt
Evening Post Monday, March 8th, 2010,
Campaigners who fought off developers in Bristol have pledged an even bigger fight to protect the green belt from housing.
Residents have endured a see-saw of emotions since a plan was drawn up to put 450 homes on protected land off Barry Road, Oldland Common
They celebrated when South Gloucestershire planners rejected the scheme, only for an appeal against that decision to be lodged and a planning inquiry called.
Just before Christmas there was further jubilation when the developers at Strategic Land Partnerships (SLP) then decided to withdraw their appeal.
But the placards and protests are now returning after SLP announced it was making another attempt to get consent for the housing project.
It submitted a second application just as South Gloucestershire Council revealed its draft blueprint for the district, its so-called core strategy, in which it ruled out building on the green belt east of Kingswood, including areas such as Oldland Common. Despite the council saying the area shouldn't be released for homes as there was enough building land elsewhere without losing part of the green belt, SLP claimed the site was needed to meet local housing needs. Members of the Save Our Green Spaces group said they had expected SLP not to give up but have vowed to oppose the scheme again. Treasurer Terry Hayward said: "I said at the time of the appeal being withdrawn that it was a case of 'when' not 'if' with regards to the developers coming back." SLP's new plan is similar to the first and proposes 450 houses, a care home, primary school and shops.
December 2009
Protesters anger at Oldland Common homes inquiry
Evening Post Tuesday, December 15, 2009,
A row has erupted over a public inquiry into plans to build 450 homes in Oldland Common.
The inquiry is being held because South Gloucestershire Council rejected the housing scheme drawn up by Strategic Land Partnerships for green-belt land off Barry Road.
More than 1,700 objections were lodged against the proposal, which also includes a 60-bed care home for the elderly, shops, offices and space for a new primary school.
The developers appealed against the decision and the Planning Inspectorate announced a four-day hearing would be held at the Yate Outdoor Sports Complex in February.
But people living in Oldland Common said the venue was too far away for a large number of residents.
Anne Upton, of Oldland Common Save Our Green Spaces, said there was no direct bus service to Yate, which was at least 10 miles away.
She said: "The inquiry should be heard locally to give as many people as possible the chance to attend and, if necessary, address the hearing.
"A lot of people are elderly and would find it a real struggle to travel such a distance. They would have to catch at least two buses to get from here to Yate.
"I find it rather insulting having already had this thrust on us to now have to go to the expense of travelling so far to attend the inquiry. If people don't have a car and can't catch buses, they will have to get a taxi."
Mrs Upton said various alternative venues had been put forward but the Planning Inspectorate had a long list of demands, from broadband connection and photocopiers to access for the disabled, that they did not meet.
The developers had separately asked for a deferral, which was supported by the council, but that was also rejected by the inspectorate.
The request from Strategic Land Partnerships came because it wanted to see a policy document on the council's five-year supply of housing land and where large-scale housing should go, but that is unlikely to be produced until after the inquiry date.
An update on the final version of the South West Regional Spatial Strategy is also expected in the new year.
That blueprint has been delayed but will outline where the Government wants thousands of homes to be built.
Brian Allinson, who is South Gloucestershire Council's planning chief, said: "It is hugely disappointing that the Planning Inspectorate has refused our request to delay the appeal, because we were supported not just by local residents but also by the developer."
October 2009
29th October 2009
Oldland Common campaigners will fight developers:
The developers have now formally lodged notice of appeal with South Gloucestershire Council, which will lead to a public inquiry. For press article click on link below.
http://www.southwestbusiness.co.uk/bristol/Oldland-Common-campaigners-fight-developers/article-1465099-detail/article.html
October 2009
Locals from Oldland Common and surrounding areas demonstrate to South Glos planning department the strength of their objection to the plans to build 450 houses on the Green Belt. For press article click on link below.
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Protest-Bristol-green-belt-homes/article-1389503-detail/article.html
DIARY INDUSTRY 'SLEEPWALKING' INTO DISASTER.
With Milk production at its lowest level for 20 years, a stark warning that Britain is 'sleepwalking' into a dairy industry disaster has been issued by Cymru's milk board chairman Mansel Raymond.
With more that one producer a week selling off their dairy herds, he says belated Government recognition of a threat to future food supplies had probably come too late to stop the exodus.
Mr Raymond who produces milk, beef, potatoes and cereal crops on 2,800 acres of land in Pembrokeshire with his twin brother, NFU deputy president Meurig Raymond said the number of dairy producers in Wales had nearly halfed in the past 10 years from 4,270 in 1998 to 2,160 las summer because of rising costs and low returns.
'In just one year we have lost another 63 milk poroducers in Wales and the number now stands at 2,097. That is more than one producder a week leaving the industry and a drop of nearly 3 per cent. But where years ago, when producers retired, there were people in the industry to take up the slack, that is no longer happening' said Mr Raymond also a First Milk director.
Milk yield slumped from a peak of 14 billion litres in 2002-03 to 12.76 billion litres last year - with a massive cutback that left the UK only 60 per cent self sufficient in milk.
The slump is continuing with 33 million fewer litres produced between April and July this year compared with 2008 - despite the best spring weather conditions for three years.
29th Aug 2009 Barry Alston.
IMPORTANT PRESS RELEASE !!
PRESS RELEASE: for immediate release
South Gloucestershire Conservatives
Housing plans 'in disarray' after further delay
Publication of Regional Spatial Strategy postponed indefinitely
Conservative campaigners in South Gloucestershire have claimed that the Government's housing plans are in 'complete disarray' following a further delay.
The Government has recently disclosed that a successful legal challenge in the East of England has forced it to postpone indefinitely the publication of the final version of the controversial Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West.
Earlier this month, Conservative campaigners were the first to highlight the huge number of responses that the Government received from the public when it consulted last summer on series of controversial changes to the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West.
One of the changes put forward by the Secretary of State in July 2008 saw the amount of housing that was proposed in South Gloucestershire increase to 32,800 by 2026.
Ministers want a series of 'urban extensions' to be built on precious Green Belt land to help meet this top-down target, including to the east of Kingswood.
Along with thousands of residents up and down the South West region, South Gloucestershire Council is actively opposing the Government's plans and supports the district-wide No Way To 33K campaign.
Chris Skidmore, the prospective Conservative MP for Kingswood and co-founder of the No Way To 33K campaign, said: 'The successful legal challenge brought by Conservative-run Hertfordshire County Council is fantastic news and gives encouragement to the thousands of residents fighting the Government's housing plans in our local area.
Legal action taken by Conservatives elsewhere has ensured that we have more time to fight against the government's disastrous plans to build on the local Green Belt. I am determined that our green spaces must be saved for generations to come.'
Cllr Valerie Lee (Con, Siston), whose ward contains the Green Belt around Siston and Warmley, said: "Ministers plans to concrete over our precious Green Belt are in complete disarray.
I very much hope that we will see the new Secretary of State, John Denham, now put his hands up on behalf of the Government, admit that a catalogue of mistakes has been made in failing to listen to local people and go back to the drawing board on these unsustainable and damaging plans.
Our precious Green Belt should be preserved, not concreted over."
June 2009
30th June 2009
Two views of the 'village' green debate. This debate needs to expand to both protect local use and farmers.
Bristol Evening Post 30th June 2009 :
Resident urge inquiry to protect 'precious' green - for full story see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Residents-urge-inquiry-protect-green-space/article-1120320-detail/article.html
How landowners can lose out in legal challenges - for full story see page 26 of Evening Post (sorry no hyperlink available).
25th June 2009
Bristol Evening Post - New Estate Blamed For Assault On Cycle Path
This is a very sad story and one that need closer examination. Everyone bar the government knew what would happen when 499 houses are cramed into a small area with only one entrance and no facilities. Even a government advisor warned that it would become a ghetto. We must not let this happen again. Please help our fight to stop more high density housing destroy the country side.
for full story see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Mother-blames-housing-estate-layout-assault/article-1105112-detail/article.html
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May 2009
8th May 2009
Bristol Evening Post - Report of Public Meeting - Includes online comment.see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/300-pack-Save-Warmley-Siston-Green-Spaces-meeting/article-974438-detail/article.html
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April 2009
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March 2009
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February 2009
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January 2009
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December 2008
21st Dec 2008
Original 106.5
Local radio station broadcast warning to the residents of Bristol and surrounding area about the threat to the green belt and the plan to carry out a consultation in early January.
http://www.originalbristol.com/greenbelt-under-threat-858852
4th Dec 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - Feedback
Protecting the Green Belt
Ron Morton expresses his concerns over the way North Somerset District Council handled it exhibition to the general public. Chris Skidmore comments on the political disagreement.
[Could I suggest that our readers don't get hung up with any political disagreement - we are here to save the green belt not take sides with politicians. Tis whole issue is more important than politics. It was for that reason we, as a group at the outset said we have no political affiliations but welcome the support of all]
for the full story see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Feedback-Protecting-Green-Belt/article-524383-detail/article.html
2nd Dec 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - Soapbox
Protecting the green belt
Letter from Steve Reade, SW&SGS about the North Somerset District Councils exhibition.Chris Skidmore comments on Peter Hack's letter.
for the full story see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Soapbox-Protecting-green-belt/article-515262-detail/article.html
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November 2008
21 November 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - Open Lines
Don't fight our plan to stop new homes
Roger Berry MP asks Chris Scidmore (Conservative candidate for Kingswood) to fight the common fight.
20 November 2008 - Observer (East Kingswood, Keynsham) - Front page
Land is for Our Crops, Not Cars
Report of the potential loss of allotments at Stapleton.
19 November 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - Open Lines
Don't trust Brown with the Green Belt
Mr Hudson, Wick questions whether Gordon Brown can be trusted to safeguard the Green Belt following his past record of broken promises.17 November 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - Soapbox
Join Fight to save city's green belt
Stapleton allotments may disappear under houses. [Is nothing safe from this government. The Bristol Evening Post does a fantastic job publishing the letters from concerned local people. Perhap now is the time for them to have a campaign?]
for full story see
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Soapbox-Join-fight-save-city-s-green-belt/article-479427-detail/article.html
Bristol Evening Post - page 48
How will 3,000 new homes change town?
Keynsham councillor call for impact study.
7th November 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - Open Lines
Help save Dundry before it disappears forever
Dundry pleads for help to save it from disappearing.for full story see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Help-save-Bristol-s-Dundry-disappears-forever/article-457995-detail/article.html
Bristol Evening Post - page 25
Do you want this bus and ring road
Plans for south Bristol ring road on green belt land unveiled. Assumptions made that Yanley will be built.for full story see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Bristol-transport-chiefs-want-public-opinion-plans/article-456633-detail/article.html
6th November 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - Business
Share price hits Rok's bottom line
Large house builder sheds 750 jobs. Because of economic downturn. [maybe now the government will see the recession coming and cancel its house building plans. Or maybe they'll just pump in more of our money to push the share price back up]
for full story see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/West-building-firm-axe-hundreds-jobs/article-453417-detail/article.html
3rd November 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - Article - page 4
Greenfield land could be lost if not prioritised
The Environment Audit Committee highlights the risks faced by greenfield land by the current plans of the government. Margaret Beckett tries to argue its alright.Other links
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Locals-voice-opposition-Bristol-developer-s-plans-greenfield-land/article-446519-detail/article.html
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Government-told-think-house-targets/article-444397-detail/article.html
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Demonstraters-grieve-loss-green-belt-land-Bristol/article-426651-detail/article.html
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Builders-push-ahead-plans-Frampton-Cotterell-development/article-425910-detail/article.html
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/homes-highlighted-South-Gloucestershire-green-belt-row/article-419683-detail/article.html
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October 2008
25 October 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - page 6
Grieving for sad loss of green-belt land
Protestors fromthis group deliver objections to RSS to RSS offices in Temple Way.
for full story see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Demonstraters-grieve-loss-green-belt-land-Bristol/article-426651-detail/article.html
Western Daily Press - page 9
Stop! Don't kill our green and plesant land
Report of procession to deliver responces to RSS at Temple Way, Bristolhttp://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/March-save-green-belt/article-426597-detail/article.html
17 October 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - page 22
We could be left without chemist
The housing developments in the area are already claiming local businesses. The Chemist in Warmley is likely to close because Supermarkets built to serve the expanding urban sprawl has taken their trade.
for full story see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Customers-fear-Bristol-pharmacy-close/article-405427-detail/article.html
8th October 2008 - Bristol Evening Post
We Won Then, We'll Win now
Large article on potential of turning Filton airport into 2nd airport for Bristol [is this part of the plan for justifying the removal of the green belt?]
8th October 2008 - Bristol Evening Post
Green belt 'is up for grabs'
"Mr Wright" demonstrates how ineffective he is and says that the Secretary of State performs a quasi-judicial role. [i.e. If she's the judge, whose the jury?]
The "farce" continues.
[def.
–adjective noting, pertaining to, or exercising powers or functions that resemble those of a court or a judge: a quasi-judicial agency.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------]
for full article see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Bristol-green-belt-grabs/article-382098-detail/article.html
7th October 2008 - Roger Berry Oct 7th Debate Westminster Hall
"There is not a shred of evidence that the numbers are doable or sustainable. Secondly, I am totally opposed to any building on the green belt to the east of the Avon ring road—the A4175. I am not saying that there should be fewer houses on the green belt, but that there should be no building there whatever.
"Secondly, as I have said, I am totally opposed to any building on the green belt to the east of the Avon ring road, from Shortwood and Bridgeyate down to Bitton, for three basic reasons. The first is that the green belt is there to separate adjacent urban communities, and if the proposal were to go through, it would totally undermine the credibility of the green belt between Bristol and Bath. I hope that the Minister will take that on board. There is massive opposition to the erosion of that green belt.
"My final point is about the importance of South Gloucestershire council’s own response to the consultation. It is critical, as are the responses of all local councils, and I wished to make two points about it. However, I shall make only one, because I am conscious that other Members wish to speak. It would not be good enough for South Gloucestershire council to object simply to the scale of developments east of the Avon ring road. It should oppose them altogether, and I expect it so to do. That is what the economic and environmental arguments demand, what local residents want and what the vast majority of those who live in Kingswood want. I very much hope that the Minister is listening, and I am sure that he is".
7th October 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - On-line
Ring Road 'crucial' to regeneration
People from the area question the logic of the ring road.
7th October 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - Soap Box
New Roads and homes
Articles by TM Shore, Ron Morton, Richard Hall, Craig Stephens & John Keily
Lots of different points, asking lots of questions.
[if only the government would answer them]
for full article see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Soapbox-New-roads-homes/article-379482-detail/article.html
7th October 2008 - BBC Points West
BBC Points West coverage
7th October 2008 - HTV West
HTV West coverage
7th October 2008 - BBC News website
Green belt protest goes to London
7th October 2008 - Bristol Evening Post
West takes fight against 117,350 new homes to Westminster
for full article see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/West-takes-fight-117-350-new-homes-Westminster/article-378587-detail/article.html
7th October 2008 - BBC Radio Bristol
Bristol Residents take petition to Number 10
7th October 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - Front page
Second Airport for City
[Another plan by the government to destroy the green belt? or is this a ploy to make the loss of green belt around Lulsgate more acceptable?]
for full article see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Second-Bristol-airport-ready/article-379127-detail/article.html
6th October 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - page 9
Road link 'crucial' to area's regeneration
Plans for the southern ring road discussed in an article. Highlighted that green belt campaign active.
[yet more panic measures to support the governments plans to take the green belt from us?]
for full article see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Ring-road-extension-south-Bristol-crucial-regeneration/article-376266-detail/article.html
1st October 2008 - Bristol Evening Post - Letters
Communities being destroyed for profit
Jacque Stephens and L Sheeley question the Hazel Blears motives - why is she ignoring the 830,000 empty homes in this country? Is it because there is more profit in green field sites? Perhaps one day she will answer the question.
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