Allow planning for Green Belt development to be determined locally and in the spirit of fairness to all

This petition forms part of a campaign aimed at changing the law so that elected local representatives, at Parish, Borough or County level, and local residents are properly empowered to control development in their area, and for all applicants to be treated equally under planning rules.

We want to put fairness at the heart of the planning system where at present it does not exist. All over the country the views of local people are being overruled by the Planning Inspectorate. We believe this to be unfair. Why should some people be given permission to build in the Green Belt when others are not, for example?

Locally, we have seen the recent planning application for the proposed change of use of land adjacent to Newtonside Orchard mobile home park, off Burfield Road, Old Windsor, from an outdoor recreation and leisure site, to a gypsy and traveller caravan site for up to five pitches. Even though local residents are opposed to this application, and even if the Borough Councillors vote against this application, our research shows that if the applicant appeals, it is likely that the Planning Inspectorate will overturn any decision made locally.

We feel, strongly, that it should be up to local people and their elected representatives to decide on what development does or not does not take place in their communities, particularly when this concerns the preservation of the Green Belt.

Please support our campaign, by signing this petition, to put fairness back into the planning system.