Central Beds Council is preparing to develop on Green Belt in direct contravention of planning guidance that this should only be allowed in exceptional circumstances - and none have been cited.
The Tory-led council is dismissive of recent utterances by Secretary of State Eric Pickles about the sanctity of Green Belt, pointing out that his planning inspectorate have effectively declared open season on Green Belt, as seen with their Three Mile Road site challenge of CBC now with the courts.
So the regulators call the shots. They interpret the law and use public funds to argue the toss with any who disagree with them, which in this case means public sector vs public sector. What a waste of resource.
So what next?
First, Mr Pickles should review what his planning inspectorate is getting up to, and make them accountable for heeding the spirit and the letter of the law his department stewards.
Second, Bartonians must write again to CBC
objecting to its latest plan to build a 15-pitch gypsy and traveller
encampment at site 16 on Green Belt in the Barton-le-Clay vale, overlooked by the National Trust's Sharpenhoe Clappers, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). CPRE and English Nature are already on the case.
February 17 to March 31 is when CBC will post its plan for
consultation on-line at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
and a hard copy will be available in Bedfordshire libraries.
Families, dog owners, hikers and hang-gliders come from all
over Bedfordshire and beyond to enjoy the spectacular views from the
hills over the vale at Barton-le-Clay. Other land can be found for development, if
there's a will. We must ensure the planning inspector understands the
real value of this land.
