Councillors representing Woodlands Ward are calling on Cllr George Duggins, the newly elected leader of the Labour group, to reconsider Labour’s approach to the greenbelt. They want the council to bring forward a new Local Plan which strikes the right balance between development and protection for greenbelt sites.
The change in leadership comes after Labour ditched their previous leader, Anne Lucas, on Friday evening. This year’s local election was a dismal election night for Labour, losing three key seats - all affected by proposed greenbelt development. Evidence, say Conservative councillors that Labour should change its policy.
Labour’s Local Plan would see a massive expansion of the city, eating into greenbelt land in Coventry and surrounding areas. It proposes the construction of 42,000 houses by 2030 – double the amount built since 1980.
In Eastern Green, it makes provision for a swathe of new warehouses, a new retail centre the size of Canon Park and 2,000 homes - all on greenbelt land.
Councillor Gary Ridley said; ‘We’ve been working hard to protect the greenbelt and these election results show how strongly people feel about this issue. Labour rushed these plans through with the bare minimum consultation allowed by law and the new leader should think again.’
Councillor Peter Male said; ‘We’re calling on the new Labour leader to put an immediate stop to the Local Plan process and bring forward new proposals for consultation. People are deeply worried about the Local Plan and we need to find a way forward which strikes the right balance between development and protecting the greenbelt.’
Councillor Julia Lepoidevin said; ‘We need new housing in this city but the Council haven’t been able to tell us why there is a need to build so many new properties – other than their ambition of becoming a top ten city. I’d urge the new leader to think again and scrap these plans.’
The councillors set up a petition on change.org after and they’re urging people to support it.