CPRE Hampshire, the countryside charity, is campaigning for a new green belt to “provide vital access to the countryside for people living in the larger towns and cities of Eastleigh, Fareham, Portsmouth, Romsey, Southampton and Winchester, and restrict the further sprawl and merging of these urban areas.” The charity commissioned research calculated the benefits to health, wellbeing, economic and ecosystems could equate to almost £26M per year.
In July 2020’s full council meeting, independent Cllr Gin Tidridge proposed & succeeded in getting Eastleigh Borough Council to state its support for this project that could help to protect the countryside north of Bishopstoke from future damaging development. Find out more about this project in this link.
“Opposing the destructive plans to build over 5,000 houses north of Bishopstoke and Fair Oak on ecologically sensitive greenfield sites highlighted to us that greater protection is needed for many areas of south Hampshire. CPRE’s campaign not only demonstrates how protection could be achieved with this new green belt but also the benefits to the local economy and communities.” Cllr Gin Tidridge