August 2009:

Things have been rather quiet at CALM while we wait for the Government to publish the final Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West. With a change of Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, and the Government Office for the South West having to process 35,000 responses to the draft RSS, the deadline for announcement of the final RSS has once again been delayed, with no indication of when it is likely to be finalised. In the meantime, Purbeck District Council have prepared a legal challenge to the RSS and various organisations have been working in the background to keep up the pressure on Government and to raise public awareness. Campaigners in Eastern England have had some success with a legal challenge in the High Court to their own Draft RSS which seems to bode well for the South West also. We continue our 'watching brief' and will keep you informed of any news.

Statement from Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole

Tuesday 28th April 2009: DORSET councils are preparing for a legal battle against the government over plans for green belt development. A decision at the end of June by secretary of state for communities and local government Hazel Blears could give the go ahead for 48,100 new homes to be built in Dorset by 2026.

Dorset county councillor Susan Jefferies, who tabled a motion before cabinet asking for a firm commitment to legal action, said: "It's going to be a difficult one to challenge; nobody should have any illusions about that. The feeling is very strongly that local democracy has been utterly run-over roughshod".

Annette Brooke MP echoed this "The entire process has been a mess and local people do not feel listened to. We must fight back and I am pleased that the Lib Dems on our local Councils have insisted on looking at all legal options available." Any challenge to the eventual decision would centre on the fact that there was a lack of evidence available due to the lack of local consultation.

See Annette's website here...

8th April 2009: "After some delay, because of the record 35000 representations that were submitted about the RSS, we currently expect decisions to be published in the week commencing the 29th June 2009. I shall continue to put your views forward on this issue and also to fight for the much needed housing for local young people."

Government's response to e-petition

From Number 10 Website

"We received a petition asking:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to prevent unreasonably large development of 2750 houses on Green Belt land around Lytchett Minster and Lytchett Matravers destroying their individuality and creating urban sprawl.

Details of Petition:

A large development of 2750 houses is proposed for Green Belt Land surrounding Lytchett Minster and Lytchett Matravers in Dorset. This will effectively merge existing villages with unique characters in Purbeck DC forming urban sprawl to satisfy housing demands for the Borough of Poole! This unreasonably large proposal is at odds with the local environment and in direct contradiction to Gordon Brown’s assurances and Government Planning Policy Guidance Note 2 for England and Wales. Consideration of this proposal at the EiP would appear to have been highly undemocratic. As a result this proposal was included in the RSS as a target area for development despite the substantial objections and overwhelming evidence against it presented by the local community,Parish Council,Purbeck DC,Dorset CC,RSPB,CPRE,Dorset Wildlife Trust and Natural England and as such we believe that it should not be allowed to proceed. Please help reason to prevail and add your name to our petition. Thank you.

The Government’s response:

The Government acknowledges the concerns of the petitioner regarding the Proposed Changes into the South West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) in relation to housing development in the vicinity of Lytchett Minster village.

The Government wishes to make clear that it remains committed to preserving, enhancing and increasing the green belt. Nationally, it continues to grow.

The Government, however, agrees with the Independent Panel that the importance of meeting the region’s housing need in the most sustainable locations may provide exceptional circumstances for making some alterations to the green belts in the region to allow for some strategic urban extensions.

As the process of producing the South West RSS is bound by regulation and propriety guidance, which seeks to put all interested parties on an even footing, the Government is unable to discuss the merits of the Proposed Changes or the Panel’s report, or take any representations or comments on board at this stage. I am sure you will understand that these propriety matters apply in particular to any comments related to particular localities or development proposals.

The position in respect of the South West RSS is that, following the public consultation period which ended on 24 October 2008, the consultation responses are currently being analysed. In view of the large number of responses received (over 35,000), the Government is currently discussing a revised publication date. "

'Protesters rally to save Green Belt'

Monday 15th September 2008: SAVE Dorset's Green Belt. That was the message to the Government from protesters at a rally held in Bournemouth Square yesterday against plans to build thousands of new homes across the Dorset countryside. Read the full article...

PROTEST RALLY TO PROTECT DORSET'S GREEN BELT GREAT SUCCESS

DORSET CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND

Sunday 14th September 2008: The Green Belt Protest Rally in Bournemouth Square was attended by over 400 Dorset Residents. It was held to challenge the dictation by Hazel Blears, Secretary of State, that Dorset must build a New Town at Lytchett Minster and over 7,250 houses in the Green Belt around Poole & Bournemouth. These proposals were just part of the demand that South East Dorset builds 48,000 EXTRA houses.

There was an outstanding line-up of speakers from across the political spectrum: Annette Brooke MP, Ben Stafford, CPRE National Campaigns Manager, Chris Chope MP, Stephen MacLouglin, Leader Bournemouth Council and Tobias Ellwood MP.

The Meeting was closed by Terry Stewart, President of Dorset CPRE who appealed to everyone to write to the Secretary of State to protest.

Another protest took place in front of County Hall in Dorchester on Wednesday 17th September, there was a demonstration at Upton Cross on Saturday 20th September, and another on Monday 22nd September at Poole Civic Centre.

'Hundreds protest at housing plans'

Sunday 14th September 2008: Hundreds of people have held a protest over the prospect of thousands of new homes being built in Dorset. Read the full article...

'Build new homes on brownfield sites'

Monday 28th July 2008: CAMPAIGN groups against government plans to build thousands of houses in Purbeck are preparing for battle. Read the full article...

'Minister set to announce homes target'

Sunday 20th July 2008: THERE are just days to go until Dorset finds out how many homes it will have to build between now and 2026. Read the full article...

"Hands off our Green Belt."

Party leaders David Cameron and Nick Clegg could have had no doubt about the strength of feeling from villagers protesting about plans to build 2,750 homes on local countryside. Read more...

"Green Belt promise for protesters"

11th July 2008: "HANDS off our Green Belt." Party leaders David Cameron and Nick Clegg could have had no doubt about the strength of feeling from villagers protesting about plans to build 2,750 homes on local countryside.

Around 100 people from Lytchett Matravers, Lytchett Minster and Upton turned out to let delegates to the Local Government Association conference at the Bournemouth International Centre know how they felt about the current threat to their Green Belt.

Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government will be announcing house building targets put forward in the Regional Spatial Strategy later this month. She steered clear of the protest, but the Conservative and Lib Dem leaders made time in their busy schedules to meet and talk to the residents.

David Cameron pledged the Green Belt would be safe if he became the Prime Minister. He told them: "I’d like to congratulate you on your peaceful protest and I have every sympathy with your point of view." He added: "I think one of the most precious assets we have is the beauty of the English countryside."

He continued: "If the Conservatives get into power we would scrap the targets. Houses need to be built but decisions should be made locally not from the top down. Power would be devolved so that local people make decisions about what housing is needed." He explained: "Local people need to be in the driving seat when it comes to building houses, local people making local decisions rather than government decisions from Whitehall."

Nick Clegg also told protesters that decisions concerning planning needed to be made locally and explained that there was a wealth of brown field sites across the country needing to be developed prior to even looking at Greenbelt land. Mr Clegg went on to say that often the wrong type of housing was being built with a huge numbers of flats lying empty, while there was a distinct lack of modest homes for small young families.

Andrew Carmichael, chairman of CALM, Community Action for Lytchett Matravers, had been hoping the leaders would be able to explain what they were going to do leading up to and following Hazel Blears decision, and was disappointed by their reaction. He explained that David Cameron’s pledge that the Green Belt would be safe in the hands of the Conservatives did not answer the immediate problem. Whilst delighted that the leaders took time to talk to the group, he had also hoped that the leaders would give CALM assurance that they would address the issue at Parliament’s Question Time.

Michael Tomlinson, chairman of Lytchett Minster Action Group explained why village residents had joined the protest. "There are currently just over 100 homes in the village and everyone is very concerned about 2,750 extra being built on farming land. The infrastructure is not there and the roads could not cope. It would change the whole character of the area."

CALM believe the decision on the house building targets will be announced around 22nd July which will be followed by a 12-week consultation period.

By kind permission of Stour and Avon Magazine www.stourandavon.co.uk

Protesters shout to save countryside

Friday 4th July 2008: PROTESTERS took their banners to the Bournemouth International Centre over threats to build thousands of new homes in Dorset - including some on the county's green belt. Read the full article...

'HOMES PLEDGE'

Friday 4th July 2008: The green belt is safe in Conservative hands. That was the pledge from Tory leader David Cameron. Read the full article...

'New homes in the South West must hit 34,000'

Tuesday 1st July 2008: First it was 23,000, then it was 28,000. Now it has been suggested that the South West of England should build up to 34,000 new homes every single year. Read the full article...

'Parties unite to fight plans for new homes'

Friday 27th June 2008: Politics were pushed aside as the campaign to save South East Dorset from the threat of 48,000 new homes was launched in robust style. Read the full article...

Vince Cable MP meets CALM

Saturday 28th June 2008: Dr. Vince Cable, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, his wife Rachel, and our own MP Annette Brooke attended a meeting in the Village Hall with a number of local councillors, members of CALM and other local residents to discuss the Western Extension issue. Read about the meeting...

'A month to save Dorset!'

Friday 27th June 2008: There is less than a month to save the unique character of South East Dorset. That's the stark warning being issued as local councils launch a last-ditch bid to fight the government's controversial house-building plans. Read the full article...

"Lytchett City" protest

20th June 2008: CALM is urging everyone in the communities of Lytchett Matravers and Minster and Upton to complete a questionnaire into housing development in the area. Community Action for Lytchett Matravers (CALM) has been set up in response to the threat of a new town the size of Wareham being built on land around the villages. In January, an independent panel reviewing the draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) recommended 5,150 dwellings be built in Purbeck by 2026. This is a 146% increase from 2,100 dwellings proposed in the draft RSS – the largest percentage increase in the south west. Of these extra homes, 2,750 are proposed for the Green Belt around Lytchett Matravers, Lytchett Minster and Upton as an extension of Poole into Purbeck.

The Government will be consulting on these proposals later in the summer and in preparation for this Purbeck District Council is seeking views on the proposal to present to the Secretary of State. It has sent a Core Strategy Issues and Options questionnaire on the proposals to all households in the affected areas. However all Purbeck residents and organisations are being encouraged to respond by completing the online response form at www.purbeck.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=10854

Ann Richardson from CALM said: "We strongly urge people to complete as much of the questionnaire as possible as it will have a major impact on the end result. This is your chance to get your feelings across."

She added: "We expect to get a decision by late July on whether this proposal has the go ahead on what is currently Green Belt land. If it is approved, there will only be a 12-week period of public consultation where we may oppose this idea with reasoned argument. The Government has cynically organised this to happen during the summer recess. If this proposal gets the green light, it will mean the end Lytchett Matravers as we know and love it. It will have a huge impact on the Green Belt, which we all assumed was untouchable." The group is worried that the development would destroy well-loved bridle and footpaths and the natural habitat of local wildlife and is looking for people to undertake studies in the area.

The CALM steering committee meets every Tuesday evening 7.30pm in Blanchard Room, Village Hall, Lytchett Matravers.

Ann continued: "We are currently working on various ways to promote public awareness of the situation. We need people to help various sub committees so we can prepare to fight the Western Extension of the Poole and Bournemouth conurbation which is currently under review with Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government."

CALM has its own web site: www.lytchett-matravers.net with an email address of info@lytchett-matravers.net. CALM can also be contacted at Lytchett Matravers Carnival on the Recreation ground on Saturday. (The procession starts at 1pm).

By kind permission of Stour and Avon Magazine www.stourandavon.co.uk

Poole Harbour Commissioners get CALM SOS

PRESS RELEASE Saturday 14th June 2008: "SAVE OUR SEALS" was the message from campaigners Community Action for Lytchett Matravers when they telephoned the Environmental Officer PHC yesterday to find out what the impact might be of 10,000 additional houses running treated sewage into Lytchett Bay and the Wareham Channel. The Environmental Officer clearly knew nothing about the plan tabled by the South West Regional Development Agency to Government.

A spokesperson for CALM said:
"Poole Harbour is one of the largest and most environmentally sensitive Natural Harbours in the world. The small population of marine mammals found there are already clinging on by their fingernails as environmental pressures build. It is a public disgrace that the Managers and Trustees of this unique marine amenity are totally unaware that the Government is planning to build a new town larger than the size of Wareham on its shores. We are just a few weeks away now from a pronouncement by the Secretary of State after which we have only twelve weeks to raise our objections. How can the Steering Committee of the Harbour Commissioners possibly put together a properly scientifically reasoned investigation into the impact of such a development in such a short period of time?"

Landowner Christopher Lees is currently negotiating with Bloors Homes to turn his Green belt farm-land over for the development of (initially) 2750 new houses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poole_Harbour

Statement from Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole

June 2008: "The Examination in Public on the South West Regional Strategy has recommended an extra 5000+ homes for Purbeck over and above that agreed by the local Councils. 2750 homes are proposed in my constituency, in the green belt and on good farming land, the identity of two villages would be destroyed and a new town created. This particular proposal was put forward by a developer at the Examination in Public and opposed by all our Councils - County, District, Town, Parish and me. I have spoken in 2 debates on the issue. Action Groups have been formed and are proceeding in a very coherent fashion, assembling arguments from all points of view. There is not a move for no development, people accept steady small growth keeps the villages vibrant, but people do not want to become part of the Bournemouth/Poole urban sprawl. I want the diversity of my constituency protected."

'Opening skirmish in bid for 3,000 homes'

Saturday 5th April 2008: Some 300 people packed Lytchett Matravers Village Hall for a protest meeting at plans for almost 3,000 new homes around the village. Read the full article...

'Building here is Vandalism'

Sunday 2nd March 2008: Purbeck council faces a race against time as it aims to block a vast housing development proposed for Lytchett Matravers, Lytchett Minster and Upton. Read the full article...

'Home truths'

Friday 11th January 2008: Acres of green belt land across the conurbation are set to be concreted over and sacrificed for housing. Read the full article...