Post by Madhatter on Jan 5, 2012 19:37:22 GMT
CAMPAIGNERS battling to protect acres of Nuneaton countryside from the developers have reached a crucial stage in their fight.
They have called a public meeting for next week and have appealed to supporters from across the borough to attend.
The meeting is to update residents on what could be their final throw of the dice in their battle to prevent a new housing estate being created at Weddington Fields.
Sheffield-based developers Hallams have appealed against a decision to refuse them planning permission build up to 326 homes at Weddington Fields and a Public Inquiry is scheduled to begin on January 17 to decide the fate of the historic countryside.
John Brookes of the protest group Save Weddington: Oppose the Residential Development (SWORD), said: "All of our energies are focussed on defeating Hallams at the Public Inquiry and we cannot emphasise enough what a huge challenge this will be.
"Hallams are a multi-million pound company who can afford to have the best legal representatives whereas we are not experts in this area, we are just a handful of local residents who have had to learn the complexities of the planning process in a very short time.
"Furthermore, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council have decided to abandon their electorate by deciding, without public consultation, not to oppose this appeal."
But he added: "That does not mean we should be disheartened. Yes, this is a huge challenge, yes Hallams have the money and the barristers, but we have robust and sound planning-based arguments of our own, based upon air quality issues, traffic congestion, actual housing needs and environmental factors.
"Most importantly, we have the support of the people who live in the borough who passionately wish to save the green spaces that they have grown up enjoying and that their own children and grandchildren enjoy today."
The key public meeting is to be held at Nuneaton Old Eds Rugby Club off Weddington Road next Thursday night, starting a 7pm: "What we now need from the people of Nuneaton and Bedworth is for them to make a show of support for our campaign," said John Brookes.
More... www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/News/Crucial-stage-in-fight-to-save-green-belt-05012012.htm
They have called a public meeting for next week and have appealed to supporters from across the borough to attend.
The meeting is to update residents on what could be their final throw of the dice in their battle to prevent a new housing estate being created at Weddington Fields.
Sheffield-based developers Hallams have appealed against a decision to refuse them planning permission build up to 326 homes at Weddington Fields and a Public Inquiry is scheduled to begin on January 17 to decide the fate of the historic countryside.
John Brookes of the protest group Save Weddington: Oppose the Residential Development (SWORD), said: "All of our energies are focussed on defeating Hallams at the Public Inquiry and we cannot emphasise enough what a huge challenge this will be.
"Hallams are a multi-million pound company who can afford to have the best legal representatives whereas we are not experts in this area, we are just a handful of local residents who have had to learn the complexities of the planning process in a very short time.
"Furthermore, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council have decided to abandon their electorate by deciding, without public consultation, not to oppose this appeal."
But he added: "That does not mean we should be disheartened. Yes, this is a huge challenge, yes Hallams have the money and the barristers, but we have robust and sound planning-based arguments of our own, based upon air quality issues, traffic congestion, actual housing needs and environmental factors.
"Most importantly, we have the support of the people who live in the borough who passionately wish to save the green spaces that they have grown up enjoying and that their own children and grandchildren enjoy today."
The key public meeting is to be held at Nuneaton Old Eds Rugby Club off Weddington Road next Thursday night, starting a 7pm: "What we now need from the people of Nuneaton and Bedworth is for them to make a show of support for our campaign," said John Brookes.
More... www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/News/Crucial-stage-in-fight-to-save-green-belt-05012012.htm
