Blueprint for the green belt: Christchurch making moves (From Thisisdorset)

Blueprint for the green belt: Christchurch making moves

9:30am Saturday 28th January 2012 in Latest By Katie Clark

CALLS to protect valuable green belt land in Christchurch have begun as moves are made to reshape the future of the borough over the next 15 years.

The Core Strategy sets out proposals for housing, transport, business land, open space and town centres As part of a forthcoming consultation a meeting on the document was held at Christchurch council on Wednesday night for members of the public to have their say.

And along with local people, representatives from organisations including Bournemouth Airport, Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Sainsbury’s and the Mey-rick Estates crammed into the packed council chamber for the opportunity to speak.

While most key parts of the document were add-ressed, many views centred on the loss of green belt land for housing and employment premises.

With Christchurch one of the least affordable areas in the South West, plans for an urban extension of 850 new homes at Roeshot Hill are seen as key in trying to solve the council’s housing problem.

Despite the land at Roeshot being part of the greenbelt, planners hope to release this land and move the allotments to north of the railway along with some suitable alternative natural greenspace (SANGs) to replace what is lost.

But John Campbell, chairman of Roeshot Hill Allotment Association said: “The association and its members still wish to remain where we are.

“Many of the present plot holders have been there for many years and have invested a great deal in their plots so that the soil is very productive.

“The loss of first class cultivated land at Roeshot is to be regretted and would be a shame.”

He added: “All this community spirit would likely be lost if we were moved, as many of our experienced members will feel unable to start again.”

Dawn Brookes, from the Mudeford Wood Comm-unity Trust, said the urban extension would cause more pressure on their facility.

Chris Hopkins, from the Somerford Partnership, raised concerns about the effect extra traffic would have on the already busy roads.

George Mey-rick, from the Meyrick Est-ates, that owns the land at Roeshot and backs the scheme, said they would work to relocate the allotments on their estate.

Cllr Sally Derham Wilkes, chairman of Christchurch council’s community services committee, said: “The meeting was very successful and a number of very worthwhile suggestions came out if.

“We will be looking at all of the suggestions that were put forward and responding to everyone who talked at the meeting.

“However, we would encourage everyone to respond to the consultation in writing when it takes place between April 2 and June 25.”

WHAT THE COUNCIL SAYS Christchurch faces major pressure to provide more housing.

There is a high level of local housing need that cannot be met in the private market.

The local economy also requires new homes to provide for the workforce.

The Core Strategy recognises that opportunities for new development are constrained by the importance of the natural environment and floodplains with the designated greenbelt land limiting growth prospects.

The future economic requirements of Christchurch and East Dorset and the wider sub region provide exceptional circumstances for changes to green belt boundaries.