My response to Dr Fox's misleading standard Failand Development Reply

Ashley Cartman • 15 February 2021

If you write to Dr Fox about the speculative development in Failand you will receive a misleading reply, here's why......

 Last week I was in email correspondence with Dr Fox in relation to the housing numbers the Government is requiring North Somerset to accommodate. Following significant correspondence from Failand residents I felt it was right, in my capacity as your local Councillor, to raise this with him. A copy of this letter, 'My first letter to Dr Fox - Friday 12 February' is below. 

Over the weekend it seems a standard response was drafted to be used in all correspondence with those contacting his office with concerns about the speculative development in Failand. A copy of this statement (taken from his website 6pm 15 Feb)  is included below. It is disingenuous and misleading. 

My reply, 'My second letter to Dr Fox - Monday 15 February', is included below if you wish to read it in full. In summary, Dr Fox had omitted key facts about how the housing numbers are set nationally and then allocated to local authorities to accommodate. It is the combination and interaction of these two government bodies, central government allocating housing targets and local government deciding where to put them, that results in a threat to the Green Belt. To say it is just the responsibility of North Somerset Council misses the point. 

In my correspondence of Monday 15 February I pointed this out. Although I have received a reply I am not expecting the standard response to change, hence my posting of this article. 

 Key correspondence noted in text above:

  • My first letter to Dr Fox - Friday 12 February

    Dear Dr Fox

     

    I write in order to express my deep concern about the housing target being imposed on North Somerset by Government. As you are aware North Somerset Council is currently developing its Local Plan and is required by Government to accommodate 20,475 new homes over a 15 year period. Broadly this is equivalent to building two new Clevedons.

     

    I am supportive of the Government’s aim to increase housebuilding and am happy that North Somerset takes its fair share. However a 20% increase in homes is far more than a fair share. This problem is acerbated by the preponderance of green belt, areas at risk of flooding, and an Area of Outstanding National Beauty. Without a significant reduction in housing numbers it is highly likely that this target of 20,475 new homes will result in the destruction of green belt.

     

    I am aware of your opposition to building in the Green Belt as well as the work you have done to reduce the housing numbers. However, the fact remains that they remain too high. I urge you to put further pressure on your colleagues to have this number reduced. Without this reduction I fear that North Somerset Council will, by following national legislation, have to release green belt land for development.

     

    As this is a concern to many of residents I would be grateful if you could clarify your position and what you intend to do to reduce the housing allocation. Working together I am sure we can prevent the vandalism of the green belt.

     

    Yours faithfully

     

    Ashley Cartman

    North Somerset Councillor for Long Aston Ward


  • Standard reply to residents concerned about Failand development posted on Dr Fox's website

    Thank you   for your email about proposed house building in Failand. I hope that you have also written to the Planning Department at NSC. They alone have the authority to grant or refuse planning permission at this stage of the process. 


    North Somerset already has enough permissions granted to meet any projected demand in housing numbers. We do not need any more. 


    As you may know, I have   argued in Parliament (and it appears successfully) to have the housing targets for North Somerset reduced. However, it is the job of the District Council to determine which specific planning applications should be accepted and which should not. Since the new Independent/LibDem Council has been in office, there have been increasing numbers of plans to build on Green Belt which I completely oppose. I hope that individual councillors will join me in this before we lose many of our precious green spaces. They may be an inexperienced Council, but they have a duty to put the interests of those they represent first and not play politics with such an important issue. 


    In the Adjournment Debate which I secured on the subject in the House of Commons last November I raised concerns not only about the protection of the Green Belt, but also the danger of building on flood plains and the lack of available infrastructure to cope with large increases in housing numbers.  I enclose the link below to the debate for your convenience. 


    https://www.liamfox.co.uk/news/housing-north-somerset-house-commons-adjournment-debate-3rd-november-2020 


    Please make your objections known to North Somerset Council on this issue. Only by doing this can we stop these unwanted proposals from coming to fruition. 

  • My second letter to Dr Fox - Monday 15 February

    Dear Dr Fox

     

    Green Belt release: A plea to work together on this important issue

     

    Thank you for replying to my email last week. I have to admit to being disappointed with your reply and the subsequent posting on your website. It is misleading, condescending, and unnecessarily partisan on an issue of great importance to many residents.

     

    On your website you state; “North Somerset already has enough permissions granted to meet any projected demand in housing numbers. We do not need any more” and you encourage people to “make your objections known to North Somerset Council on this issue. Only by doing this can we stop these unwanted proposals from coming to fruition”.

     

    This is disingenuous.

     

    There is no acknowledgement that the choices being faced by North Somerset Council are a direct consequence of decisions of the Government. If, as you state, there are already enough permissions granted to meeting future demand, then the question must surely be why then is your government forcing North Somerset to build more?

     

    I am happy to accept and acknowledge (which I have publicly on a number occasions) that you have argued successfully to reduce the housing numbers the government is imposing on North Somerset. I, and many residents, are appreciative of this. I am also happy to accept that North Somerset Council will ultimately make the decision as to where to allocate the developments. However, with such maddeningly high numbers it is hard to see how this can be done which is immune to subsequent legal challenge by developers. We are expected to accommodate a 20% increase, equivalent to two Clevedons. You have reduced the numbers but they remain far too high, the green belt remains at risk.  

     

    You often refer to an adjournment debate you organised as evidence of your commitment to the Green Belt. I have listened to the debate and agree with all your substantive points. However, that debate increasingly looks like a battle you won in a larger war thar you seem to have given up fighting.

     

    I would urge you not to play political games with this issue and to join me and many residents in criticising this unrealistic and fanciful housing number. I am fighting a battle at North Somerset Council to preserve the green belt, will you reassure us that you continue to do the same in Parliament?

     

    Yours sincerely

    Cllr Ashley Cartman

    North Somerset Councillor for Long Ashton Ward