Mr Ian Beardsmore (Sunbury Common and Ashford Common) to move under Standing Order 11 as follows:
Council notes:
1. Surrey County Council has a proud history as the creator of the Green Belt. The County’s Countryside Estate founded by the Surrey County Council Act of 1931 was the basis of the London County Council's Green Belt Act of 1938.
2. The Coalition Agreement states:
‘We will maintain the Green Belt, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and other environmental protections, and create a new designation – similar to SSSIs – to protect green areas of particular importance to local communities.’
3. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has signalled that he would support building on Green Belt land.
Council believes:
Surrey’s Green Belt, Countryside Estate, SSSIs and other green spaces are vital, not only for the county’s environment but also for maintaining a “green lung” around London.
Council resolves:
1. To do everything in its power to protect Surrey’s Green Belt.
2. To oppose any moves by government to weaken Green Belt legislation.
3. To make Surrey’s MPs and the County’s Districts and Boroughs aware of this resolution.
Minutes:
Under Standing Order 12.3, the Council agreed to debate this motion.
Under Standing Order 12.1, Mr Ian Beardsmore moved the updated motion, which had been tabled at the meeting, which was:
‘Council notes:
1. Surrey County Council has a proud history as the creator of the Green Belt. The County’s Countryside Estate founded by the Surrey County Council Act of 1931 was the basis of the London County Council's Green Belt Act of 1938.
2. The Coalition Agreement states:
We will maintain the Green Belt, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and other environmental protections, and create a new designation – similar to SSSIs – to protect green areas of particular importance to local communities.
3. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has signalled that he would support building on Green Belt land.
Council believes:
Surrey’s Green Belt, Countryside Estate, SSSIs and other green spaces are vital, not only for the county’s environment but also for maintaining a “green lung” around London.
Council resolves:
1. To do everything in its power to protect Surrey’s Green Belt.
2. To oppose any moves by government to weaken Green Belt legislation.
3. To make Surrey’s MPs and the County’s Districts and Boroughs aware of this resolution.
4. That any Green Belt development in the County is in line with the needs and wishes of Surrey residents.
Mr Beardsmore made the following points:
· The background to the founding of the Green Belt
· That it was essential to protect Surrey’s Green Belt
· The need to support the County’s Boroughs and Districts in this area because the new Planning Guidelines had put these councils under pressure
· A reference to the number of empty houses in Surrey and also MOD property
· That any ‘creep’ on Green Belt can never be reversed.
The motion was formally seconded by Mrs Hazel Watson, who referred to the Green Belt in the metropolitan areas of London. She also said that without the Green Belt, Surrey’s unique character would disappear and she pressed for the development of brownfield sites. Finally, she said that any decision on Green Belt land should be made at local level by democratically elected representatives.
Mr John Furey tabled an amendment at the meeting (formally seconded by Mr Martin) which was:
‘Council notes:
1. Surrey County Council has a proud history as the creator of the Green Belt. The County’s Countryside Estate founded by the Surrey County Council Act of 1931 was the basis of the London County Council's Green Belt Act of 1938.
2. The Coalition Agreement states:
‘We will maintain the Green Belt, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and other environmental protections, and create a new designation – similar to SSSIs – to protect green areas of particular importance to local communities.’
Council believes:
Surrey’s Green Belt, Countryside Estate, SSSIs and other green spaces are vital, not only for the county’s environment but also for maintaining a “green lung” around London.
Council resolves:
1. To use its power to protect Surrey’s Green Belt.
2. To support the National Planning Policy Framework (section 9 – paragraphs 79 to 92) and the Government’s policy of protecting the Green Belt.
3. To make Surrey’s MPs and the County’s Districts and Boroughs aware of this resolution.
4. That any Green Belt development in the County is in line with the needs and wishes of Surrey residents.’
Mr Furey said that he strongly supported the Green Belt policy and would accept the broad principle of the motion. However, he had proposed three amendments to it and explained the reasons behind them. He said that most planning applications were decided by Boroughs and Districts and that residents were consulted. He reiterated that Surrey would use its power to protect Surrey’s Green Belt.
In seconding the amendment, Mr Martin explained the reasons for deleting the reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and for amending point 2 so that it referred to the National Planning Policy Framework which he hoped gave a more positive approach to the wording of the motion.
Mr Beardsmore agreed to accept the amendment and therefore the amendment became the substantive motion.
After a short debated in which 3 Members spoke, it was:
RESOLVED (unanimously):
Council notes:
1. Surrey County Council has a proud history as the creator of the Green Belt. The County’s Countryside Estate founded by the Surrey County Council Act of 1931 was the basis of the London County Council's Green Belt Act of 1938.
2. The Coalition Agreement states:
‘We will maintain the Green Belt, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and other environmental protections, and create a new designation – similar to SSSIs – to protect green areas of particular importance to local communities.’
Council believes:
Surrey’s Green Belt, Countryside Estate, SSSIs and other green spaces are vital, not only for the county’s environment but also for maintaining a “green lung” around London.
Council resolves:
1. To use its power to protect Surrey’s Green Belt.
2. To support the National Planning Policy Framework (section 9 – paragraphs 79 to 92) and the Government’s policy of protecting the Green Belt.
3. To make Surrey’s MPs and the County’s Districts and Boroughs aware of this resolution.
4. That any Green Belt development in the County is in line with the needs and wishes of Surrey residents.