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"DON'T STRANGLE STROUD"
Energised campaign group fights proposed West of Stonehouse NewTown
13/1/2012
The DON'T STRANGLE STROUD group has been formed to focus on opposing Stroud District Councils preferred strategy of a development of 1500 houses "West of Stonehouse" in the Parish of Eastington . This proposal is out to consultation on the 6th February for 6 weeks.
The group has its own website new-town.info and you can join its email newsletter via the link on the front page
This proposition follows a consultation process on the Core Strategy last year.
Mr Ian Rank-Broadley said "This was a flawed process based on 746 replies just 0.67% of the District's population, if you exclude the 100 replies from outside the District, although counted by the Council, just over 0.5% (646) of the population responded to this immensely complicated electronic questionnaire".
Mr Peter Edis Bates added "This urban sprawl half the size of Stonehouse will have serious economic consequences on Stroud and Stonehouse towns and the outlying villages. Traffic using the A 419 to and from the M5 will suffer increased congestion and surrounding communities such as the Stanleys, Standish and Haresfield will be plagued by "rat runs" as frustrated motorists look for alternative routes.
Supporters are joining every day appalled at the proposal some of these will be at Stroud Market on Saturday 14th January explaining the dire consequences if this proposal becomes a reality. They will be collecting E mail addresses and handing out leaflets explaining in detail the Conservative Council Proposals.
The Group totally accepts the need for more housing but questions whether the growth in population from around 111,300 today rising to a forecast of 121,800 in 2026 is best served by this proposition.
Richard James said "A detailed analysis of the figures provided by the Office of National Statistics demonstrates that the 20 to 60 age group will actually fall by 1500 between now and 2026 whereas the over 60's population will grow by 11,700. A huge development joining Eastington to Stonehouse is highly unlikely to respond in anyway to the needs of our older people. This type of population growth provides an overwhelming argument for dispersal of housing development allowing older people to remain in their communities at the same time freeing up larger properties for the next generation. I am very surprised that the Conservative led Council has not engaged with this significant demographic change".
Unfortunately the Conservative Cabinet Councillors who are driving these proposals have declined to meet with the electorate at public meetings to explain this very significant policy approach. Despite this public meetings will be held with a seat reserved for Councillor Roden Leader of the Council or her Deputy should they change their minds.
Neil Carmichael our local MP actively supports our campaign. "The Localism Act 2012 concerns the self determination of local people and the rights of residents to decide the shape of their communities, rather than Central Government imposition. I am fully supportive of your position in opposing this development in Eastington".
David Drew says "I am totally opposed to the development proposals they will do nothing for Stonehouse and remove productive arable land forever.
David Cameron stated this week " 'I care deeply about our countryside and environment. Our vision is one where we give communities much more say, much more control'
'The fear people have in villages is the great big housing estate being plonked down from above. Our reforms will make it easier for communities to say “ We are not going to have a big plonking housing estate landing next to the village, but we would like 10, 20, 30 extra houses and we would like to build in this way, to be built for local people.”
The campaign group welcomes your support.