It’s encouraging to see political representatives step up in defence of our communities. We recently saw an MP setting a powerful precedent by getting directly involved in a local planning dispute. This kind of action is exactly what we need, and it’s time for our own MP, Dave Robertson, to follow suit and join the fight for our Green Belt.

The Belper Precedent: Calling Out the “Duplicitous” Tactics

The parallel to the situation near Belper is crucial. Linsey Farnsworth MP publicly described two housing planning applications as “duplicitous” for the way they were drafted to take advantage of new national Green Belt rules. This perfectly captures the feeling here in Burntwood.

This MP understood that this isn’t just about technical planning law; it’s about developers using legal changes to push through schemes that bypass local democratic review and community opposition.

The ‘Grey Belt’ Gambit in Burntwood

The reality is that the Lichfield District Council has not yet finished its comprehensive work on the Local Plan 2043. This delay has created a window of opportunity for developers to employ a legal tactic known as the “Grey Belt” gambit.

The “Grey Belt” concept—land that supposedly doesn’t “strongly contribute” to the Green Belt’s purposes—is being used on a site-by-site basis. By arguing their specific plot is “Grey Belt,” developers are attempting to avoid the strict rules that normally protect the Green Belt. This allows them to effectively bulldozer their applications through before the Council has formally decided where the boundaries should be.

Dave Robertson Must Step In

While planning matters are primarily a Council responsibility, the severity of this loophole demands strategic intervention. Dave Robertson must use his influence to:

1. Demand Urgency from the Council: Press the Lichfield District Council to finalise the Local Plan and Green Belt review immediately, closing the window that allows for these speculative “Grey Belt” applications.
2. Challenge Duplicitous Applications: Use his position to publicly scrutinise the planning applications that are clearly taking advantage of the new rules, just as Linsey Farnsworth MP has done.
3. Stand with the Community: Provide the unified voice and political weight needed to support residents fighting to protect our essential Green Belt from piecemeal erosion.

We are not just asking for a letter or a statement; we are asking our MP to actively challenge the duplicitous tactics that exploit the Council’s delays.

It’s time for Dave Robertson to take a stand, protect our local environment, and prove that the Green Belt is not up for sale.

Read this….

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c701nw4pyewo

#wrongtimewrongplace #saveourgreenbelt #greenbelt #parliament #MP