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Issue:- 20 September 2012

Green belt in danger

HIGHLY concerned Formby citizens met for the second time on of Friday, 14 September 2012, in The Formby Branch of the British Legion’s former Hall. Around 450 attended the evening run by the Formby Residents Action Group - Opposition From Formby (F.R.A.G.O.F.F.). This meeting was called for by the group following an application by David Wilson Homes (a part of Barratt Developments Ltd.) to build 400 houses on farm land, which is reported to be known to flood, and is in the local green belt. Other organisations locally have been trying to build in the local greenbelt and have met with Council refusals, like Formby Football club who wanted to have a kids centre. The meeting also covered government ministers plans to push through a controversial relaxation of planning regulations, having reputedly already opposed some developments in their own constituencies, which included new housing, a care home for elderly people and business developments. One of the F.R.A.G.O.F.F members said that:- "This is surely a case of; what is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander.”

We found many angry people attending the meeting, it was standing-room only, suggesting this will become a really hot topic in the months to come. Some of the local Councillors were present, as well as the local MP, Bill Esterson, and there was not a dissenting voice heard throughout the meeting and outside afterwards. But the views raised at the meeting have also been shown, on websites like Formby First website, so it is clear David Wilson Homes and Barratt Homes have a fight on their hands!

It was made quite clear that F.R.A.G.O.F.F. also believes that should the developers obtain permission to build on that piece of regularly farmed land, a precedent would be created for the whole country. Although the Government requires Sefton to provide homes, the Council is not allowed to use the 600 empty homes, nor build on areas were there had been industry! Sadly many at the meeting felt that such petty rules are hamstring the struggling local Council. In the view of F.R.A.G.O.F.F., it seems that should the developers win, then everyone else loses. That say that:- "No account is being taken, by a far away controlling body, of the issues involved regarding this proposed development, of traffic and services (drainage, water, schools, health-care, affordable housing costs) nor the feelings of the local community. When there is accommodation available throughout Sefton and the difficulty in finding people willing to buy houses or have rented accommodation, it beggars belief that what is available cannot be included the completion of the target set by the absentee legislators. Commonsense does not prevail!" F.R.A.G.O.F.F. also asks:- "Is it that this Government is doing its best to be voted out of office in 2 years time?"

According to the Planning Minister, Nick Boles, those who campaign to Save the Greenbelt are:- “hysterical, scare mongering latter-day Luddites.” But F.R.A.G.O.F.F. reacts to this by saying:- "Formby people are not like that. They are only defending their true right to defend the right to say how their community develops and what is best for the area. It is everyone’s British heritage."

People, you are invited to have your say and keep up-to-date with the F.R.A.G.O.F.F. campaign at:- fragoff.co.uk  and to sign their online petition to protect the greenbelt,  "If you do sign the petition, it will help us at F.R.A.G.O.F.F to obtain the needed 100,000 signatures to get a debate in Parliament." said F.R.A.G.O.F.F.

We are waiting for a reply from David Wilson Homes and Barratt Homes on their proposals for a large scale housing development scheme in Formby.

So, do you have any views on this topic? Do you agree or disagree with F.R.A.G.O.F.F.? Please let us know by emailing us to:- news24@southportreporter.com.

Click on here to see more photographs taken at this event.