PRESS RELEASE

 

CONCERN OVER POSSIBLE PORT EXPANSION AND THE PROTECTION OF THE GREEN BELT

 

Easton-in-Gordano Parish Council were horrified that, following the 2005 Public Inquiry on the North Somerset Local Plan, the Inspector recommended that a piece of land in Portbury and Easton-in-Gordano which provides the last buffer between those parishes should be taken out of the Green Belt in order to allow for future port expansion. Together with Portbury Parish Council they made strong representations to North Somerset Council, and encouraged a vigorous local campaign against this recommendation, resulting in a petition of nearly 1000 names and a huge number of individual letters.

 

North Somerset Council has now proposed leaving one part of the land in question in the Green Belt, but still taking that part within Easton-in-Gordano and Pill, including Courthouse Farm, out of the Green Belt. Easton-in-Gordano Parish Council feel strongly that this singles out the two villages of Easton-in-Gordano and Pill, which have already had their environment more dramatically affected than any other by the growth of the Royal Portbury Dock. While recognising that the Port provides employment in the area, the Parish Council still feels that the case for more land has not been made. Councillors also feel, together with the Inspector at a previous inquiry, that many activities, particularly the huge amount of car storage, are not directly dock related, are not an efficient use of Port land, and could take place elsewhere, without spreading on to one of the last remaining green “buffers” between the villages and the dock. Many residents remember an assurance given by one of the owners of the Bristol Port Company some years ago that, once the coal yard was established, there would be no further encroachment into the Parish. This now has a hollow ring to it.

 

The Parish Council is now making its feelings known in response to the last round of consultation, and is lobbying every North Somerset councillor in an attempt to have this proposal removed in order to preserve the Green Belt. If North Somerset persists in keeping this aspect of the Local Plan unchanged, the Parish Council will be making representations to the appropriate Secretary of State and to Liam Fox M.P. The possibility of mounting a legal challenge will also be discussed.

 

Issued on behalf of Easton-in-Gordano Parish Council. Inquiries should be directed to:-

 

Councillor Gerry Hunt, Chair of Easton-in-Gordano Parish Council on 01275 372940 or 07801 654349 or through email ger-mar-hunt@talk21.com