Message from LEGLAG Chairman Kit Braunholtz to members of LEGLAG

Hello LEGLAGGERS, This is just an interim message to let you know that we are still confident that with your support, and the support of Councillors of all parties, we shall succeed in stopping the proposed development of some 1300 houses in Leckhampton and Shurdington.

You may have read that a judicial review has stopped the Government’s abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies. This is true; but in our case (The South West RSS) the strategy was never in force – it was only in draft – so this does not affect us. And in any case a more recent judicial decision has said that the Government’s intention to abolish RSS ’s can be taken account of as ’a material consideration’ in making planning decisions, so we are more or less back where we were.

No planning application has yet been made for the proposed development, but when it is we will let you know and ask you all to send in letters of objection – this is the best way to let the planners know how strong local opposition is! Meanwhile, we are trying to increase our strength by recruiting new members of LEGLAG – you can help with this too, if you can persuade your friends and neighbours to join.

To join Leglag, go to our website: http://www.leglag.org.uk – where you will find membership application forms.

Remember that when a previous application was made for 350 houses off Farm Lane, we and you all objected, Tewkesbury turned it down, and a Planning Inspector turned it down on Appeal, even though this site was allocated for development under the Tewkesbury Local Plan.

Now a new ”Joint Core Strategy” is under development, which will replace the old Tewkesbury Local Plan, and we are working to try and ensure that this new Joint Core Strategy does NOT allocate land in Leckhampton and Shurdington for large-scale development. The petition that many of you signed was part of this campaign, and will soon be presented to Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Borough Councils.

Our next Newsletter, which will be delivered in a few weeks, will give the latest news, and also remind you of our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday March 23rd.

See you there! Kit Braunholtz (Chairman, LEGLAG)