Campaign to Keep Wimborne Green

A very important East Dorset District Council Policy & Resources Committee Meeting is to be held on Wednesday 1st February at 6.00pm at the Barrington Centre, Ferndown. This meeting, we are told, is to discuss the Council's latest plans for the next Consultation document for the Core Strategy. This will involve PLANS TO BUILD ON GREENBELT LAND.

It is imperative that as many of the local inhabitants of Wimborne and Colehill who care about the place where they live and the preservation of our irreplaceable Greenbelt, should be at this meeting to show how much we care about the beautiful place where we live.This is your first opportunity this year to speak personally to your local councillors and let them know your views about any greenbelt development.

If you are unable to attend this meeting we would urge you to write to your local councillor at their personal addresses, phone them or contact them through the East Dorset District Council offices at Furzehill, Wimborne. Contact details can be found on this website

August 2011

The Government's draft National Planning Policy Framework is out for public consultation.

This National Planning Policy, should it be passed unaltered, will put added pressure on Greenbelt/Greenfield sites for development.

The draft of this National Planning Policy:

Removes targets for develop brownfiield sites thus removing the emphasis on using brownfield sites for development before considering Greenfield sites
Requires Local Authorities to identify a 5 year supply of housing development land PLUS an additional 20%. This would result in an over allocation of land for building.
Changes to Greenbelt policy allowing local communities to support building which previously would have been restricted
Councils told there should be a "presumption in favour of development"
The Campaign to Protect Rural England and the National Trust, both respected organisations, have voiced their strong concerns over this proposed National Planning Policy and have urged its members to sign a petition (in the case of the National Trust) or write to their local MP's(in the case of CPRE)

Keep Wimborne Green supports these actions and if you want to save irreplaceable greenbelt from development in our area, we would ask you all to contact your local MP's and voice your concerns on this draft National Planning Policy Framework.

This can be done online or by post. Your local MP's for Wimborne area depending on where you live are:

Annette Brooke MP
14, York Road, Broadstone,Dorset BH18 8ET
BOOKEA@parliament.uk

Christopher Chope MP
18a, Bargates, Christchurch,Dorset BH23 1QL
office@christchurchconservatives.com

Please take the time to read the Draft Planning Policy Framework or go to CPRE's website where they give a very good summary of the additional pressure on Greenbelt should this draft policy go ahead without amendment.

Back to the Top

Local Elections for District and Parish Councils

May we remind you that May 5th this year is your opportunity to make sure that your local councillors are held to account.
Ask them if they continue to support the view that no development should take place on the irreplaceable Greenbelt areas around Wimborne.
Remember, the councillors you vote onto the local District and Parish councils will be there to represent you and your views.
Back to the Top

Public Consultation on Core Strategy Options

The combined East Dorset District and Christchurch Borough Council’s Core Strategy is now open to public consultation.

The consultation period runs for 12 weeks from 4 October until 24 December.

This consultation will give residents the chance to say what they think about the options suggested for how the district will develop up to 2027.

The Core Strategy document is available to view/download at http://www.dorsetforyou.com/348323

It is most important to give your opinions on section 8 as this is the section which discusses options for housing on the greenbelt around Wimborne.

To participate in the consultation you can:

· register online at http://christchurcheastdorset-consult.dorsetforyou.com/portal

· view the documents and obtain consultation forms from Council Offices and local libraries or by phoning 01202 886201.

Media Story

Public Exhibitions will be held at the following venues:

Date	Location	Time
Friday 15 October	Leigh Park Community Centre, Wimborne	2pm - 8pm
Wednesday 20 October	St. Nicholas' Church Hall, Corfe Mullen	2pm - 8pm
Friday 29 October	West Parley Memorial Hall, West Parley	2pm - 8pm
Thursday 11 November	The Hub, Verwood	2pm - 8pm
Friday 19 November	Allendale House, Wimborne	2pm - 8pm
Friday 26 November	The Barrington Centre, Ferndown	2pm - 8pm
tbc	Colehill	-

Back to the Top

Keep Wimborne Green to hold Public meeting

The Campaign to Keep Wimborne Green is organising a Public Meeting to inform the residents of WImborne and Colehill of the current situation regarding proposed developments in the Wimborne area and to encourage them to participate in the Public Consultation currently being undertaken by the District Council.

This meeting will be held at

the Allendale Centre in Wimborne on Friday 15^th October and will begin at 7.30 pm.

Speakers will include the Chair of The Campaign to Keep Wimborne Green Mrs Sheila Bourton, local Member of Parliament Annette Brooks and one or more district councillors.

Members of the public will be encouraged to ask questions of the assembled dignitaries and express their views.

Download Poster for display

Back to the Top

East Dorset District and Christchurch Borough Councils

to hold joint meeting in order to

debate Consultation document

East Dorset District and Christchurch Borough Councils are holding a joint meeting to seek Council approval for consultation on the Local Development Framework Core Strategy Options.

This meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Village Hotel in Bournemouth on Wednesday 29^th September beginning at 5.00 pm.

Members of the public are not allowed to speak or make representations. Anyone in a position to attend are encouraged to do so (at least by us).

Meeting Agenda and Documents

Back to the Top

East Dorset District Council publishes Core Strategy
and announces Public Consultation

Core Strategy documents

East Dorset District Council has now published their preferred options for housing and industrial development sites. The housing development figure proposed for Wimborne and Colehill is 1005!

This is more than the figure proposed under the now abolished Regional Spatial Strategy and more than Corfe Mullen, West Parley or Verwood.

The Council is conducting a public consultation and would like to hear from YOU and what you think.

The consultation period will start on 4th October and will run for 12 weeks until 24th December 2010.

You’ve said it before but you need to say it again NO TO BUILDING ON THE GREENBELT!

To be involved and have your say you will first have to register with East Dorset District Council and you can do that by emailing : policy.planning@eastdorset.gov.uk or telephone 01202-886201 ext. 2422.

We would urge you to REGISTER NOW. Remember you cannot have your say until you have registered.

If you do not wish to respond online and would prefer paper copies of the Consultation papers they will be available at libraries, information centres and council offices.

East Dorset advertisement

Related Media Story

Back to the Top

East Dorset District Council’s

Corporate Plan 2010-2016,

Affordable Housing and Public Consultation

Our Council has this month published its CORPORATE PLAN for 2010-2016 and whilst the majority of its content is commendable, it is regrettable that the Council does not appear to be planning to protect all Greenfield/Greenbelt sites (see Priority Area – Environment in this Plan)

Keep Wimborne Green is aware that some Affordable housing is required in our area but we consider that it is important to clarify the meaning of Affordable Housing, and according to the Government’s PPS3 Annex B, the definition is as follows:

Affordable Housing is:

Social rented and intermediate housing provided to ELIGIBLE households whose needs are not met by the market.

Social Rented Housing is owned and managed by local authorities and registered social landlords.

Intermediate Affordable Housing includes houses at prices and rents above those of Social rent but below market price and rents. These include Shared Equity; but again are only available to ELIGIBLE households.

In other words, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS NOT AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE. IT IS NOT CHEAP MARKET HOUSING FOR ALL

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Keep Wimborne Green has been told that the Council intends to hold a Public Consultation in the autumn concerning different options regarding sites for house building.

You, the residents of East Dorset have made it clear that you do not want development of Greenfield/Greenbelt sites.

You have a right to express your views, and the new Government wants local people to be involved in the planning process on decisions which affect their lives.

Make your views known to East Dorset District Council either when the Consultation is published or before that date if you wish.

Back to the Top

New Government Promises to Scrap RSS

The end appears to be in sight. The South West Regional Assembly was abolished in May 2010, now the hated Regional Spatial Strategy is about to be scrapped. Together with the return of gardens to their former green belt status and statements by Government ministers promising protection of the existing green belt the outlook appears to be good.

Extracts from page 11: The Coalition: Our Programme for Government launched on Thursday 20th May

We will promote the radical devolution of power and greater financial autonomy to local government and community groups. This will include a review of local government finance.

We will rapidly abolish Regional Spatial Strategies and return decision-making powers on housing and planning to local councils, including giving councils new powers to stop 'garden grabbing'.

We will maintain the Green Belt, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and other environmental protections, and create a new designation - similar to SSSIs - to protect green areas of particular importance to local communities.

Link to official website of Annette Brooke MP for MID Dorset and North Poole.

Back to the Top

RSS for South West delayed

until early in new year

The Government Office for the South West has announced that the Regional Spatial Strategy will be further delayed until early in the new year whilst it performs a Sustainability Appraisal.

Relevant text from press release:

“The Government has given the go-ahead to a further appraisal of whether proposals for the Regional Spatial Strategy for South West England (SW RSS) are the most sustainable way forward for the Region.

Since the Regional Assembly submitted the draft RSS to the Government in June 2006, it has been the subject of extensive public debate and consultation. The Government had expected to issue the final version at the end of June 2009.

In May, the High Court issued a judgment that the Sustainability Appraisal of the East of England RSS (EoE RSS) had failed to test reasonable alternatives to two of its proposals, and has remitted those proposals to the Government to reconsider them. In the light of this judgment, the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Government Office for the South West have looked again at the Sustainability Appraisal of the SW RSS, and whether they have tested reasonable alternatives to modifications introduced following the Examination in Public (EiP).

The Government wishes to be satisfied that the Sustainability Appraisal of last year’s Proposed Changes to the SW RSS tested reasonable alternatives to those Areas of Search for strategic housing, business and other development which were added or amended following consideration of the EiP Panel's report.

It has therefore decided to carry out a new Sustainability Appraisal, to ensure that alternatives to these elements of the proposals are properly tested and represent the most sustainable way forward for the Region. The new Appraisal is expected to take until early in the New Year. The Government has similarly decided to conduct further Sustainability Appraisal of the EoE RSS.

In the light of the Appraisal’s findings, the Government will then decide what action to take to complete the SW Strategy to provide the clarity and certainty about the future framework for growth in the region which all partners are keen to see.”

Local Press Coverage Page 1 Page 2

Back to the Top

Cannon Hill and Uddens

Plantations withdrawn from

Mineral Site Allocation Document

The Forestry Commission has withdrawn both the Cannon Hill Plantation and the Uddens Plantation from the Dorset County Council Allocation Document. This seems to be because he mineral developer, the Raymond Brown Group, no longer wishes to progress the site. It should be noted that the Forestry Commission is determined to exploit these sites as soon as a new mineral developer become available.

Full text of withdrawal letter.

Back to the Top

East Dorset District Council
Writes to John Denham

Councillor Spencer Flower as Leader of East Dorset District Council has written to John Denham, the new Secretary of State at the Department of Communities and Local Government, to draw his attention to their continued opposition to the large housing developments (urban expensions) which the Regional Spatial Strategy proposes should be built in the area’s Green Belt.

Read Daily Echo Article Article 2

Avon Advertiser Story

Back to the Top

Approval for the South West
Regional Strategy has been delayed
until the Autum

Approval for the South West Regional Strategy has been delayed until the Autumn. Originally scheduled for January and then delayed until the end of June by the huge number of responses to the Secretary of State’s Consultancy document the final document will not now be delivered until the autumn. The most recent delay has been caused by a successful legal challenge to the East of England plan. The Government Office for the South West is now reviewing the South West plan in light of the judge’s decision.

Read Media Story Page 1 Page 2

Anyone involved in the RSS consultation process with have received the following email from the Government Office for the South West:

=========================================================

Thank you for your email addressed to the Secretary of State for the Communities and Local Government regarding the South West Regional Spatial Strategy. As you might expect, the Secretary of State receives a large amount of correspondence and is not able to respond personally to all the letters he receives, no matter how much he wishes to do so. This office acts on behalf of the Secretary of State in relation to planning matters in the South West and therefore, we have been asked to respond.

The Secretary of States proposed changes were the subject of public consultation between July and September 2008. I regret that no new representations can be taken into account now, as to do so might be unfair to other respondents.

However, it may be helpful to set out the Government Policy on housing nationally as set out in Planning Policy Statement 3 (PPS3). It states that there is a presumption that housing development should be prioritised towards previously developed land. However, national planning policy recognises that some greenfield land - undeveloped land that may or may not be needed for green belt - may be needed for some development. PPS3 puts the responsibility on local authorities to decide where to locate housing, to identify sites and to manage previously developed land back into development where possible to minimise the call on greenfield and designated green belt land.

I should make clear that Government Policy regarding development on land designated as green belt has not changed, there are strict planning controls on green belt land and there is a general presumption against inappropriate development within green belts. Any proposal to change the boundary of a green belt and any development proposal for land in the green belt, whatever its scale, is subject to stringent tests. However, sufficient housing to meet our needs has not been built for something like a generation. As a result, there is a fundamental mismatch between the supply of housing and the demand for housing. That is having an impact on affordability across the south-west region and has the effect of putting home ownership out of the reach of many and the Government needs to address that.

Whilst the Government remains committed to preserving, enhancing and increasing the green belt - and nationally, it continues to grow - this does not mean that green belt policies should be set in stone. The Government agrees with the Independent Panel who examined the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) that the importance of meeting the region’s housing need in the most sustainable locations provides the exceptional circumstances for making some alterations to the three green belts in the region to allow for some strategic urban extensions.

The exact number of houses and the location of new build is something that the Government is currently considering and I can assure you that we are taking the views received very seriously.

The Secretary of State planned to publish the RSS at the end of June 2009. However, on 20^th May, the High Court issued a judgment that the previously issued Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England had failed to meet certain requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive, in respect of three towns.

The Department for Communities and Local Communities and the Government Office for the South West are considering the implications for the South West Regional Spatial Strategy, but cannot reach a clear view until the written judgment is issued by the Court. Setting a new timetable is not possible, until the implications of the judgment have been clarified, and what action is required, if any.

Our website (http://www.gosw.gov.uk/gosw/planninghome/691545/713860/?a=42496) is updated regularly and will have the latest information on the position.

Yours sincerely

Carly Vaughan

RSS Team
Government Office for the South West
2 Rivergate,
Temple Quay,
Bristol BS1 6EH

Tel: 0117 900 1705
Fax: 0117 900 1914

www.gosw.gov.uk

=========================================================

Back to the Top

SE Dorset Transport Study

Requests Residents Views

SE Dorset Transport Study is asking for your views.

“We are keen to hear from anyone travelling in the area, whether it’s on foot or by cycle, bus, train or car, to understand what they see as the major difficulties in getting around,” said Rob Thompson, project leader of consultants Atkins, who are carrying out the study.

From Monday, June 8, 5,000 leaflets will be available in libraries, council and tourism offices.

Full text of Daily Echo article

Back to the Top

Councillors reaffirm green belt

Legal challenge

Councillors have confirmed their pledge to protect Dorset’s green belt even if it means taking legal action.

Full newspapaer article

Back to the Top

Councillors recommended to approve
Land Availability Assessments

East Dorset County Council Policy and Resources committee recommended to the council members to approve the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessments.

These assessments are a Government requirement and the adoption of these, the Council hope, will assist it to continue to protect the greenbelt in East Dorset from speculative development

To view these assessments visit: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=376443

Back to the Top

Planning Appeal Dismissed

The Planning Appeal concerning the land adjacent to 5 Heath Close, Colehill has been dismissed. The Planning Inspector upheld East Dorset District Council’s decision to reject the outline planning application for 61 dwellings. The appeal was dismissed on the basis that there were no “very special circumstances existing to justify the development” in the green belt.

Full Text of Decision

Back to the Top

Back To the Top