Julian says Local Elections are Referendum on the Greenbelt
April 29, 2015
Julian has today reiterated his commitment to protecting York’s greenbelt and rural communities from unsustainable development as part of his six point plan for the constituency.
Labour’s highly controversial Local Plan started life proposing the development of over 22,000 houses across the city, prioritising development on the greenbelt rather than on brownfield sites.
Julian has held over 20 public meetings on the Local Plan in the past 2 years across the constituency, and has made his views very clear on the matter.
Speaking today he said, “The failings of the current administration in York could not have been clearer than in the Local Plan process. York’s residents have made their voices heard, despite the Council consistently refusing to listen. We do not want to see villages merging together, urban sprawl swallowing up our beautiful countryside, nor do we want York to become a suburb of Leeds.
“On a positive note the Local Plan has galvanised communities to come together to protect their identities from being completely destroyed, in a way that previously could not have been imagined. Indeed, the drafting of community led Village Design Statements and Neighbourhood Plans as well as the founding of the Action Group Alliance are prime examples of this community cohesion.”
The case against the current Local Plan in York is mounting; the recent rejection of Durham’s equally unsustainable Local Plan by a Government planning inspector, along with new lower Government housing projections for York and the decision by the Secretary of State to throw out proposed development on the greenbelt in Strensall are working in favour of local residents.
Julian added, “If anything this election has come at the best possible time for York. It will give residents a chance to properly decide on the future of our city through the democratic process. These elections are unique not just because we will see both local and general elections on the same day, but that they will truly be a referendum on the Local Plan and the future of our great city.”
For more information on Julian’s six point plan for York Outer, click here.
