MP hits out at developers for excluding views of campaigners

CALL FOR IN-PERSON MEETING TO HEAR OPINIONS ON 3,000-HOME PLAN FOR GREENBELT LAND

- By JOSHUA HARTLEY

THE developers behind a controversial 3,000-home housing plan have been accused of paying lip service to residents amid demands for transparency.

Bloor Homes and Peveril Homes launched a renewed bid to build thousands of homes on greenbelt land off Whyburn Lane in Hucknall earlier this year.

Their hopes that the 200 hectares would be allocated for housing by Ashfield District Council were previously thwarted after a backlash, but in late March the two housebuilders made a request to the council that usually precedes a full planning application.

Michelle Welsh, MP for Sherwood Forest, has now accused the construction companies of “restricting discussion” over the divisive plans, which the firms apparently wanted to discuss in a behind-closed-doors meeting.

Slamming the proposal, which the Labour MP said would exclude the opinions of campaigners who had opposed the scheme for years, she wrote in a letter to the housebuilders: “A closed meeting does not adequately serve the people of Hucknall. I have already conveyed to you the strength of feeling among residents regarding your proposals.