The South Glos Post

Labour councillors have failed to support plans for a new aerospace hub and protection of the Green Belt, whilst the LibDems are split – according to Conservative councillors in South Gloucestershire.

At a meeting on Wednesday 14th December, councillors agreed to submit to a planning inspector a revised future development blueprint – its Core Strategy – that now includes the re-development of Filton Airfield and safeguarding of 50 ha of aerospace land to allow local firms to expand and new ones to locate here.

The Core Strategy still includes the protection of the Green Belt stretching from Pilning all the way through to Frampton Cotterell and down the east of Kingswood – areas that had been under severe threat from the previous government’s Regional Spatial Strategy.

And the airfield’s redevelopment would strengthen that protection even more.

But in the main vote only Conservative councillors unanimously backed these plans. Labour abstained and the LibDem group was split down the middle with some voting for and against.

Cllr Robert Griffin (Con, Pilning & Severn Beach) said:

“I am pleased that the Core Strategy has been approved including the defence of the Pilning Green Belt and promotion of a new M49 junction, but I am disappointed that the other parties did not join the Conservatives in unanimously supporting these aims.”

“You just need to look at GKN’s decision to build their factory near Severn Beach to see that a runway is not a pre-requisite for a successful aerospace company.”

“But Labour’s overnight aerospace experts cannot seem to grasp that.”

“GKN ship all their manufactured components out by lorry.”

More: Labour and LibDems "unable to see the bigger picture" »

Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council

The row over Filton Airfield is distracting from the fight to save the local Green Belt, according to local Conservative campaigners.

At a council meeting on Wednesday 14th December, planning officers at South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) are asking councillors to submit to a planning inspector a revised future development blueprint – its Core Strategy – that includes the re-development of Filton Airfield, which local aerospace companies have said could strengthen the industry by making more aerospace land available for expanding firms.

The Core Strategy still includes the protection of the Green Belt stretching from Pilning through to Frampton Cotterell and down the east of Kingswood – areas that had been under threat from the previous government’s Regional Spatial Strategy.

And the airfield’s redevelopment would strengthen that protection even more.

But if local authorities do not have an up-to-date future development plan that tells developers which areas they can develop, then they can put forward areas of their choosing, including the Green Belt.

This has been tried by developers in Longwell Green and Oldland Common and another developer is promoting over two thousand homes on Green Belt land in Warmley.

More: Developers must be kept at bay, says Councillor »

Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council

Rail campaigners in South Gloucestershire have welcomed assurances by the industry that local services will improve.

It follows concerns raised by South Gloucestershire Council’s transport chief about disruption that has been occurring on local rail services, particularly cancellations affecting passengers on key commuter services on the Severn Beach line and the Gloucester-Yate-Bristol Parkway-Bristol Temple Meads line.

On various occasions, there have been cancellations or curtailments to morning peak trains which have been attributed to shortage of crew, trains late from depot and train breakdowns.

On the Severn Beach Line, the main casualty has been the 07.18 from Severn Beach which has been either cancelled in entirety or curtailed to start at Avonmouth – stranding passengers at Severn Beach.

In addition, cancellations have also been occurring on other lines, including:

• The 6:26am train from Bristol Parkway to Temple Meads and destinations beyond (this is the first train of the day in that direction from Bristol Parkway and used by passengers with onward connections at Temple Meads)
• Local services on the Gloucester – Yate – Bristol Parkway – Bristol Temple Meads line
• Local services on the Cardiff – Newport – Patchway – Bristol Temple Meads line

More: First Great Western chief gives assurances »

Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council

A newly-elected councillor and former Army tank commander has called for Armed Forces personnel to be given priority when affordable homes are allocated.

Ben Stokes was elected in May onto South Gloucestershire Council as Conservative councillor for Boyd Valley. He previously served in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards of the British Army, who are currently on tour in Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

Ben reached the rank of Captain and his Regiment’s tours of duty included Bosnia and Northern Ireland.

Few local authorities prioritise Armed Forces personnel when allocating affordable housing, but South Gloucestershire Council is planning a consultation on changes to its policy and Cllr Stokes wants it made easier for Armed Forces personnel to access housing by being given greater priority.

Cllr Stokes said:

“Having served alongside many of the courageous service men and women in the British Armed Forces, it’s a scandal that so many of them return home and struggle to access basic public services, like housing.”

“They shouldn’t have to fight our enemies abroad and put their lives on the line in the process only to return home and have to fight to get a roof over their heads.”

Council will look "sympathetically" at request »

Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council