Nuneaton’s voice in Parliament has welcomed the recent decision by Government to incentivise the use of brownfield land for new development. He has asked the Planning Minister what more can be done to encourage Councils to include more development on brownfield sites when producing local development plans.
The MP’s question was prompted by widespread concern from Nuneaton residents that the Borough Plan being proposed by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council focusses building on countryside land and greenbelt land, rather than brownfield sites.
The leading local MP also believes that residential development on brownfield sites in town centres like Nuneaton could unlock the double advantage of alleviating the pressure of development on green fields and also regenerate our town centre.
Marcus was pleased that the Minister acknowledged his points and gave the assurance that the Government is looking to help local Councils unlock brownfield development. The local MP is now urging Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council to look at the options carefully before finalising the long awaited Borough Plan.
Commenting, Marcus said: “We should not underestimate the benefits of brownfield sites, particularly in our town centre. At the moment not enough attention has been given to using brownfield sites before green fields and I am pleased that the Government has recognised this and is looking to support ways to make brownfield sites more deliverable.
“The Borough Plan is taking far too long, and the controlling Labour group at the Town Hall seem to be in a state of inertia on the subject. Local people are very concerned that the delay in the local plan and the Councils lack of land supply for new development is now causing over development in certain areas without the necessary infrastructure to cope with new housing.
“I am now urging the Council to look at ways to include more brownfield sites in their proposals.”
Adding, Cllr Kris Wilson (Whitestone), Leader of the Opposition on Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: "The inaction from the Labour council is distressing many residents who have had to wait almost a year for the results of last year's consultation. They, quite rightly, want to see any countryside used as an option of last resort and greenbelt as sacrosanct. There are proposals to build on greenbelt, yet there are brownfield sites in Nuneaton which could, and should, be prioritised first."
The MP’s question was prompted by widespread concern from Nuneaton residents that the Borough Plan being proposed by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council focusses building on countryside land and greenbelt land, rather than brownfield sites.
The leading local MP also believes that residential development on brownfield sites in town centres like Nuneaton could unlock the double advantage of alleviating the pressure of development on green fields and also regenerate our town centre.
Marcus was pleased that the Minister acknowledged his points and gave the assurance that the Government is looking to help local Councils unlock brownfield development. The local MP is now urging Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council to look at the options carefully before finalising the long awaited Borough Plan.
Commenting, Marcus said: “We should not underestimate the benefits of brownfield sites, particularly in our town centre. At the moment not enough attention has been given to using brownfield sites before green fields and I am pleased that the Government has recognised this and is looking to support ways to make brownfield sites more deliverable.
“The Borough Plan is taking far too long, and the controlling Labour group at the Town Hall seem to be in a state of inertia on the subject. Local people are very concerned that the delay in the local plan and the Councils lack of land supply for new development is now causing over development in certain areas without the necessary infrastructure to cope with new housing.
“I am now urging the Council to look at ways to include more brownfield sites in their proposals.”
Adding, Cllr Kris Wilson (Whitestone), Leader of the Opposition on Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: "The inaction from the Labour council is distressing many residents who have had to wait almost a year for the results of last year's consultation. They, quite rightly, want to see any countryside used as an option of last resort and greenbelt as sacrosanct. There are proposals to build on greenbelt, yet there are brownfield sites in Nuneaton which could, and should, be prioritised first."