I have written to Cllr Andy Mackiewicz, Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Planning, to set out my concerns about the Prime Minister’s announcement on development around train stations.
Today Angela Rayner announced that the government will make it easier for developers to bring forward housing on land close to railway stations, including land currently protected as Green Belt. In addition, the government’s dubious definition of “grey belt” puts most of the borough at risk. The government’s approach means the demand on Solihull increases by two thirds while Birmingham’s housing requirements fall by a third.
Here in Meriden and Solihull East, our Green Belt matters enormously. It protects our communities from urban sprawl, preserves our countryside and is a vital part of the character of our area. I care deeply about our environment
I have written to Cllr Mackiewicz asking him to consider carefully the implications of these changes for our area and to ensure that local communities are properly protected as the local plan process progresses.
We must build the right homes, in the right places, alongside the infrastructure needed to support them.
Brownfield sites and appropriate development should come first not speculative schemes that simply happen to be near a railway station.
I will always fight to protect our precious Green Belt.
