Press Release 27 August 2007

From Cllr Mark Edwards

Conservative Group Spokesman

 

 

COMEYTROWE DEVELOPMENT THREAT

 

 

 

“I am fully supportive of affordable housing and fully appreciate the need that exists in society but it should not be at any cost to our environment. There are numerous brownfield sites in the Taunton area and numerous other developments being built and it is here that the Council should focus their efforts on developing affordable housing not by the destruction of the landscape surrounding Taunton. The Prime Minister has clearly indicated he wishes to see more affordable housing but has also clearly stated that the green belt should not be surrendered to achieve this.”

 

“I am really quite disturbed by this development, it has been instigated by the newly elected Liberal Democrat administration. Their Executive member for planning, when questioned by myself at the recent Full Council, clearly dismissed my concerns that they may try and develop here and said that it would be twenty years before he envisaged any development on this land. This is either clear misinformation or he was not aware what was happening in his own department, I am not sure which is more disturbing.”

 

“It is clear to me that the people of Trull are against this development, they see it as the thin edge of the wedge, a stepping stone to the development of this entire area. However my biggest concern at present is that the people of Comeytrowe have not been informed of these plans and clearly the impact could be as serious on them as it is for Trull. I therefore want to highlight to them what is happening and I will be doing all I can to make sure they are adequately informed so they can make their own judgement about the Liberal Democrats plans for this major development on the fields of Comeytrowe.”

Councillor Mark Edwards has expressed his deep concern over plans for a major affordable housing development off Comeytrowe Road. The development of eighty houses has been proposed for a green field site on the edge of the village of Trull which adjoins the fields leading to Comeytrowe.

 

“I was truly surprised to be informed of plans to develop this land on the edge of Trull. It is part of the greenbelt and I have always believed should be protected land that helped Trull with its aim of retaining its village status albeit on the edge of the town.

 

This development will be the first step towards concreting over the remaining fields in this area and merging Trull with Comeytrowe and should clearly be resisted.”