Development of Greenbelt Land in South Staffordshire
The Petition of residents of Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay in the South Staffordshire constituency, and others,
Declares that the current proposals to build a car park, health centre and over 140 houses on greenbelt land by Landywood Lane, Great Wyrley will lead to the erosion of the distinct identity of our individual villages and could cause substantial environmental damage; further notes that despite the rejection by South Staffordshire District Council of the current proposals, in line with public opinion, the applicant has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate to ignore the wishes of local residents and overturn the council’s decision.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take all possible steps to ensure that the Planning Inspectorate upholds the decision reached by South Staffordshire District Council and rejects these proposals so that the Greenbelt can be conserved for future generations.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Gavin Williamson, Official Report, 12 February 2014; Vol. 575, c. 979.]
[P001318]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government:
The Secretary of State has a quasi-judicial role in the planning system, and cannot comment on the merits or otherwise of any planning application or appeal which might come within his jurisdiction at some future date. However, the National Planning Policy Framework accords Green Belt land the highest protection and makes clear that most development on it is inappropriate and should be approved only in very special circumstances. The Secretary of State in a Written Ministerial Statement of 1 July 2013, Official Report, column 41WS, made clear that he considers that the single issue of unmet demand for housing is unlikely to outweigh harm to the Green Belt and other harm to constitute those very special circumstances.
In reaching appeal decisions, Inspectors must weigh all the submitted arguments and evidence carefully. They will have regard to all material considerations in a case, including policies in the development plan for the area, national policies in the National Planning Policy Framework, Written Ministerial Statements, the views expressed by all parties, and any other relevant facts and circumstances.