Will Caroline Spelman MP support call to protect Solihull Parks?

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 1st Jul 2005

Lorely Burt MP joins battle on windfall development and calls on Caroline Spelman MP to back motion to protect parkland

Solihull's Lib Dem MP, Lorely Burt has joined forces with the Conservative MP for Meriden, Caroline Spelman to put pressure on the government to revise planning policy guidance over windfall development.

Lorely Burt has signed an Early Day Motion tabled by Caroline Spelman calling on the government to revise planning guidance, allowing councils and local communities more say in preserving the character of villages and neighbourhoods from inappropriate development.

"During the past five years 129 dwellings on windfall sites in Solihull have been approved on appeal by government inspectors against the decision of the local planning authority.

"In six cases costs have been awarded against the the Council for the appeal, one of which was taken to the High Court at considerable cost to local council tax payers. The cost in officers time fighting appeals is also very high, and the system must be overhauled to give more powers to local councillors and local communities," said Lorely Burt

Mrs Burt is also continuing her battle in parliament to protect parkland and public open space by tabling her own Early Day Motion on protection of parkland. She has called on Caroline Spelman to back her by signing EDM 555, 'Protection of Parkland' calling on the government to reform current planning law that allows councils to sell off public parkland against the wishes of local people.

"I do hope Caroline will back my campaign in the House of Commons to protect parkland and public open space. This is a similar issue to windfall development, and both have created real problems for the residents of Solihull," said Mrs Burt

"Parks are integral intergal part of British life, and should not be sold off for short financial fianancial gain. Once they have gone, they can never be recovered," added the Solihull MP.