news story

3rd October 2008

Hundreds Turn Out for Public Meetings on House-Building Threat

Over seven hundred South Gloucestershire residents have now attend public meetings organised by local MP Steve Webb to highlight the threat of massive housing developments in the area.

Last night (Thursday 2nd) the MP joined local councillors for a fifth public meeting, this time at King Edmund Community School, following earlier meetings in Shortwood, Pucklechurch, Chipping Sodbury and Brimsham Green School. The campaign against over-development has also attracted a huge response in the form of petition responses to leaflets and online signatures on the MP's website petition.

Now the battle moves to Westminster with Steve Webb leading a debate next Tuesday (7th October) on the 'Regional Spatial Strategy' for the South West which includes the plans for 32,800 houses for South Gloucestershire.

Steve Webb said that his criticism of the house-building plans would focus on two main areas - the loss of Green Belt around Shortwood and Pucklechurch and the implications for Yate and Chipping Sodbury of mass housing development given the already over-crowded roads and lack of public transport.

Speaking after last night's meeting, the MP said:

"Over the last few weeks I have spoken to literally hundreds of local residents who share my concerns about these plans. We are not objecting to measured and sustainable house-building in the right places, but over-development on the scale proposed could destroy our quality of life.

"I hope that everyone will do their best to respond before the 24th October deadline so that the Government knows the strength of local feeling".
 

Read Steve Webb's presentation to the Chipping Sodbury meeting here.