MP Calls for Housing Minister to Attend Midlands Green Belt Demonstration
Wendy Morton, the Member of Parliament for Aldridge-Brownhills, has formally invited the government's housing minister to a protest against green belt housing developments scheduled for this weekend. In a direct appeal, she urged Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, to meet with constituents who feel they are 'under siege from developers' in the Black Country region.
Residents Rally Against Development Plans
Demonstrators, organized by the campaign group Stop the Build on Aldridge Green Belt, plan to march through the town on February 28, starting from the Croft at midday. This protest comes in response to the allocation of over 7,000 homes across green belt sites in the Aldridge-Brownhills area alone, sparking significant local opposition and concern.
In her letter to the minister, Ms. Morton emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating: "My constituents feel as though our villages are under siege from developers." She extended a cordial invitation for Mr. Reed to attend the rally, highlighting the need for a face-to-face explanation of the government's definition of grey belt.
Face-to-Face Explanation Demanded
The MP's invitation specifically requests that the minister explain the grey belt terminology directly to residents, allowing them to subsequently show him the sites threatened by development. Ms. Morton challenged the minister to judge whether the term is being misused, accusing the government and developers of destroying "some of our finest countryside and agricultural land."
This move underscores growing tensions between local communities and national housing policies, with residents seeking greater transparency and accountability in planning decisions. The Local Democracy Reporting Service has approached the department for comment, but no response has been issued at this time.
The demonstration is expected to draw significant attention to the ongoing debate over green belt preservation versus housing needs, highlighting the complex balance between development and environmental conservation in the Midlands.
