It was great to be out over the weekend, campaigning in support of our excellent Conservative candidates at the Kent County Council elections taking place on 1st May.
However, it was clear from conversations with local residents, that you all remain deeply concerned about the future of our Green Belt.
These are concerns I share - Labour’s decision to increase our district housing target by 63%, and make it mandatory, coupled with their broad and worrying definition of so-called ‘Grey Belt’, means our beautiful countryside is under threat like never before.
But, I want you to all to be clear that both myself and your Conservative Councillors will do what we can to fight these proposals every step of the way.
Sevenoaks District is 93% Green Belt and this must be taken into account when calculating our housing number within the Local Plan. It is imperative that we build homes for local people, but we must also protect the Green Belt, and ensure new homes come with the right infrastructure for communities living here.
Sadly, the introduction of ‘Grey Belt’ puts at risk the previously hard-won victories against damaging proposals, which would have swallowed up large areas of Green Belt land. And, under Labour’s new rules, it will be far harder for local people to stand up to inappropriate development.
However, that won’t stop us trying, and I applaud the hard work of Nigel Williams who recently has shown his commitment to protecting the Green Belt by speaking at planning hearings — behaviour that is in stark contrast to any other council candidate in his area.
I will continue to work hard with colleagues, local councillors, parish councils and other interested local groups. Green Belt must be protected; and that any planning applications on this land, that do not have community consent, should be rejected wherever possible.
