Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, submitted his petition for the preservation of the local Greenbelt to the House of Commons today.
A total of 4,281 South Staffordshire residents signed the petition against building on greenbelt land at Landywood Lane, between Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay.
The proposed development of 141 homes was thrown out by South Staffordshire District Council late last year. However, there is still a risk that the Planning Inspectorate could overturn the decision.
Not only would these proposals lead to the erosion of the distinct identity of South Staffordshire’s individual villages, but they could cause substantial environmental damage and increase the risk of flooding in the area.
Gavin said: “I have been campaigning against the development since the proposal was first submitted to the District Council and will continue our fight to protect the Greenbelt. With the number of signatures that are already on this petition, the opinion of local residents is overwhelmingly clear. They do not want this development.
“To go ahead with building these homes would have a massive impact not just on existing residents of both Cheslyn Hay and Great Wyrley, but also on future generations. Once we build on our green belt land, we can never get it back. I strongly hope that the authorities will take account of this petition and make the right decision.”