Gedling Borough Council says it has ‘listened to residents’ views’ on the green belt plan.
Residents had launched a petition which has almost 1,000 signatures on it to protect the land from development.
The council had proposed as part of the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan, that Green Belt Land is removed from protection and was to be used for additional housing allocation in Stoke Bardolph (600+ houses in addition to 350+ on safe-guarded land).
A spokesperson said:
“We’ve listened to the views of the residents we serve in Stoke Bardolph, Teal Close, Burton Joyce and surrounding communities and decided to protect the green belt land to the east of Teal Close.
“We have removed this specific site from the public consultation on the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan Preferred Approach.
“This specific site in Stoke Bardolph will not now be consulted on for a future housing allocation.
“The Government set a compulsory housing target for a least 7,950 homes to be built in Gedling Borough by 2038.
“The Government’s policy has been to penalise councils that do not meet their compulsory housing targets.
“The Government’s targets mean sites such as green belt land to the east of Teal Close in Stoke Bardolph were put at risk for future housing development.
“We share residents’ concerns about compulsory housing targets set by central Government that do not take account of local views and local circumstances.
“We urge the Government and their Members of Parliament to urgently clarify their policy in terms of compulsory housing targets for council areas – a letter from the Secretary of State doesn’t amount to a change in Government policy.
“Thank you to the residents of Stoke Bardolph, Teal Close, Burton Joyce and surrounding communities who shared their views with us. When we say we are a listening Council, we mean it.”
Cllr John Clarke MBE, Leader of the Council
Cllr Michael Payne, Deputy Leader of the Council
Cllr Jenny Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member for Growth & Regeneration
