Green Belt threat blocked

1.30.00pm GMT Fri 3rd Dec 2004

Lib Dems protect Surrey's Green Belt

Attempts by Surrey Tories to undermine the defence of the Green Belt have been blocked, in part by some of their own party who voted with Lib Dems and Environmentalists to strengthen opposition to Green Belt development in the South East Region.

An amendment by the Regional Planning Committee to the draft South East Plan opposes any general review of the Green Belt. Surrey Conservatives had wanted some Green Belt sites to be reviewed. The amendment still allows for a local Borough or District councils to review their own Green Belt if they want to, but they now don't have to. This seems to be a problem for the Conservatives, since they wanted a review of Green Belt sites in the Guildford and Woking areas.

Lib Dem Councilor Ian Beardsmore who is the only Lib Dem from Surrey, Sussex or Kent on the Regional Planning Committee, went on to explain, "This is a useful step in protecting the Green Belt. The amendment has been incorporated without further challenge in the Draft Regional Plan."

"One wonders where this leaves the Leader of Surrey County Council, who is also the Leader of the South East Regional Assembly, now that his own party amongst others have rejected his scheme."