More than 600 people have signed a petition against proposals to remove much-loved green belt land around Stoke Bardolph to extend a housing development. Residents are urging the council to save the land around the village.
Gedling Borough Council is proposing, as part of the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan, that protection is removed from green belt land so it could be used for around 300 new homes.
Villagers have been angered by proposals and recently held a meeting where they vowed to campaign to save the land from developers.
A petition has now been created, with hundreds voicing their concerns around proposals.
Petition organisers posted a plea to those visiting the petition site.
They wrote: “Stoke Bardolph village is a free open green space for all. Visitors come to walk, run, watch wildlife and enjoy the positive well-being provided by being in the countryside environment. If the Green Belt protection is removed in Stoke Bardolph, where will it end? Will it just be the start of the erosion of all Nottinghamshire’s green belt land?”
You can sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/protect-stoke-bardolph-green-belt-land-and-vital-flood-areas
Gedling Borough Council issued a response when approached by Gedling Eye after the village meeting a fortnight ago.
Gedling Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy, Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth said:“Government has set a housing target for at least 7,950 homes to be built in Gedling Borough by 2038 and The Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan Preferred Approach sets out how and where these houses will be built.
“Most of the houses allocated are being built on brownfield sites across the borough, however, in order to meet the Government’s target, we have to look at other suitable sustainable locations near built up areas, such as extending the development at Teal Close.
“The Preferred Approach is due to be considered by Cabinet Members in December and if approved, will be followed by an eight-week public consultation, where residents can have their say.”