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Public Meeting

Your Green Belt - Use It or Lose It!
Have Your Say

Thursday, 7th May 2009

Kingswood Civic Centre

Meeting commences at 6.00pm and will end at approx. 9.00pm
(Doors open at 5.30pm for viewing contributors stands)

Plus the results of our own “Save Our Green Spaces Consultation” and update on the progress of the campaign

Guest speakers from the National Trust, Avon Wildlife Trust, NFU, South Gloucestershire Council, Local MPs and prospective MP

Booking is not essential but would be helpful. Please call Jacky on 960 2441 or Anne on 937 4379

Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)

The RSS will have an impact on Pucklechurch.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has published Proposed Changes to the South West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). These changes would require building the equivalent of eight ‘Pucklechurches’ on land between Shortwood and the Siston/Warmely area.

The changes (but not the original proposal*) were subject to a twelve week public consultation period which closed on Friday 24 October.  Many local residents made comments although very few people appear to have had an acknowledgment that the comments have been received.

A recent survey, reported in the press has shown that the Government consultation on the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) was so poorly communicated that the majority of the local population only became aware of its existence through local action but were left with very little time to respond. Those of you who did respond found the language and mechanisms for doing so very complex.

For these reasons the Save Our Green Spaces Campaign Group have produced its own consultation form, specifically on the future of the Green Belt around Bristol, to give you the opportunity to express your views on how you would like to see it used.  To download the survey click here... You can also read more background to this by downloading the Press Release and leaflet produced by Save Our Green Spaces Campaign.

What should you do?

1.0 If you are not already familiar with the proposals you may find out more on the web.  Here are some links.

There is a vast amount of information available but only a small part of the published documentation is relevant to our immediate area. The links below will help you find information that is relevant.

1.1 Summary prepared by South Gloucestershire Council:
https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/inovem/consult.ti/RSSgvt08/consultationHome

This page also contains links to the reports and tells you how to make an objection.

1.2 Another quick read is the “Report to South Gloucestershire’s Full Council Meeting on 23 July 2008” found here:
https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/inovem/gf2.ti/f/135586/2021285.1/pdf/-/23%20jul%2008%20sgc%20cabinet.pdf

1.3 You can find all the official documents on this link:
http://gosw.limehouse.co.uk/portal/regional_strategies/drss

2.0 What are the implications to our area?

There are several sources of information that show the implications of this proposal and the possible effects on communities in the area. They also give you help on how to respond to the

2.1 Local Information and campaigns

Shortwood Green Belt Campaign has information on

Save our Green Spaces

Steve Webb’s Website contains information on the proposals, their implication and suggestions on how to respond to the draft proposals and an on-line petition:

3.0 How to respond to this consultation.

Unfortunately the official consultation is now closed. You can, However, support the Save Our Green Spaces Campaign by downloading their survey.

if you feel that you were not adequately informed or that the process was too difficult you should write to the Secretary of State - details here...