Green belt land at Stoke Bardolph that was earmarked for housing has been spared by council leaders.
Following a meeting of Gedling Borough Council’s Cabinet today (8), it was announced that under threat land to the east of Teal Close will not now be consulted on for housing development.
In a joint statement, the Cabinet members said: “We’ve listened to the views of the residents we serve in Stoke Bardolph, Teal Close, Burton Joyce and surrounding communities and decided to protect the green belt land to the east of Teal Close.
“We have removed this specific site from the public consultation on the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan Preferred Approach. This specific site in Stoke Bardolph will not now be consulted on for a future housing allocation.”
“The Government set a compulsory housing target for a least 7,950 homes to be built in Gedling Borough by 2038. The Government’s policy has been to penalise councils that do not meet their compulsory housing targets.
“The Government’s targets mean sites such as green belt land to the east of Teal Close in Stoke Bardolph were put at risk for future housing development.
“We share residents’ concerns about compulsory housing targets set by central Government that do not take account of local views and local circumstances.
“We urge the Government and their Members of Parliament to urgently clarify their policy in terms of compulsory housing targets for council areas – a letter from the Secretary of State doesn’t amount to a change in Government policy.”
They added: “Thank you to the residents of Stoke Bardolph, Teal Close, Burton Joyce and surrounding communities who shared their views with us. When we say we are a listening Council; When we say we are a listening Council, we mean it.”
Over 800 people had signed a petition calling on the council to spare the land from developers.
Trent Valley Councillors Sam Smith and Mike Adams also wrote to the Cabinet calling for a consultation to be delayed until housing legislation was changed so that housing targets were advisory rather than compulsory.
