Green belt protesters in challenge to council over homes

COVENTRY City Council were challenged to a duel by a group of green belt protesters in an eye-catching rally.

The group, who have named themselves the Four Musketeers, want the council to protect the green belt site by building on the city’s brownfield land first.

The four members staged a protest outside the Council House last Friday, dressed in historic costumes.

Dr Walter Milner, one of the Four Musketeers protesters said the group wanted to challenge the council about the numbers behind plans to build new homes on the green belt - but it declined their offer to ‘duel.’

The group are campaigning for homes on brownfield land to be built first - in the hope that a recalculation of housing demand will prove greenbelt land is not needed.

Dr Milner said: “We simply request that the Local Plan is ‘phased.’

“That means that building on green land is not allowed until after all brownfield sites have been used and housing demand remains.

“We argue the housing predictions are wrong, and this will never happen

“If in future the numbers turn out to be correct, and not ‘stupid,’ so be it - but we think it will never happen.”

Figures gathered by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest that Coventry ‘s population will grow by 32 per cent between 2011 and 2031 which is almost twice as fast as any other West Midlands district is predicted to grow.

Last December, it was revealed that even some councillors were skeptical of the predictions made about the rate Coventry’s population will grow.

Councillor John Mutton branded the figures “stupid”.

Dr Milner also voiced concerns about the types of homes set to be built.

He said: “Developers will immediately build four and five-bed houses, to try to attract well-off people to Coventry.

“But the housing which is actually needed for people who live in Coventry, council housing at rents people can afford, on brownfield sites, will not get built.”

One of the campaigners, Merle Gering, is standing in the local election next month as an independent councillor for the Sherbourne ward. A council spokesperson said: “We understand that some local residents continue to have concerns about the proposals in the Local Plan.

“The housing needs and the development options to help meet that need were stringently reviewed by the government’s appointed inspector who found them and the plan they inform robust and justified.

“The figures are based on data provided by central government and figures that every local authority in the country must use to prepare their local plan.

“There is a review mechanism included within our plan and should revised data indicate a significant change in the city’s housing needs then we will review that information and act accordingly.

“The Local Plan remains the basis for considering development proposals across Coventry and will help deliver much needed housing, employment land and infrastructure across the city.”

We simply request that the Local Plan is phased. That means that building is not allowed until after brownfield sites have been used...