Proposals to build thousands of houses next to Long Ashton on and around Woodspring Golf course (see map opposite) came a step closer to being blocked last month.

At a meeting of the Executive Committee of North Somerset Council on 7th September I supported a motion instructing council staff to prepare a Local Housing Plan that excludes development on the green belt, in areas of outstanding natural beauty, or on land susceptible to flooding.

The new approach would also mean the council falls short of the housing target imposed by central government, instead just planning for local housing need. 

'Independent' Councillors seek to frustrate the new approach

The approach is seen as controversial by the Independent Councillor group who are now seeking to overturn or block this democratic decision. They wrongly fear that the new approach will see development shifted to areas they represent.

As I said in my speech (see opposite), the feedback we have received from residents all over North Somerset is clear. They want new homes to meet local need that are of high quality, affordable, and supported by good infrastructure. But they do not want them to be built at the expense of our local environment.

This was the message that I received loud and clear at a public meeting I hosted earlier this year in Long Ashton Community centre. I am supportive of new housing, but the proposals by Taylor Wimpey for the Woodspring site are inappropriate and do not reflect what we as a community need.

Now let's be political about it.....your vote matters....

Given the continued opposition from a number of other North Somerset Councillors the long term future of the green belt is far from secure. They see greenbelt development as an easy route to avoid development in their own 'back yards', they are wrong.

I always try and avoid being too 'political' in my posts as I feel it is not what people want to hear. However, in this case there are very clear dividing lines and I want to be clear with residents (and the people I represent) where I and others stand. I, and my Liberal Democrat colleagues, will continue to fight for high quality new housing and the protection the greenbelt. Independent Councillors are of a different view.

There are elections next May and I will be standing for re-election. When I stood in 2019 I promised people I would do whatever I could to protect the greenbelt for future generations, I will make that promise again. I may not be successful but I will try my hardest. If you value our local environment then please support me and encourage friends and family across North Somerset to vote Liberal Democrat. Thank you.

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