Claines Councillors respond to Green Belt Development Discussions

Claines councillors have responded to recent discussions around the potential Green Belt development in Claines. Cllrs Mel Allcott, Jessie Jagger, and Karen Holmes have emphasised that while they do not oppose new housing or development in Claines generally, they do oppose building on Green Belt land.

Green Belt land is protected under national planning policy to prevent urban sprawl, protect the countryside from development, preserve the character of historic communities such as Claines, and stop neighbouring areas gradually merging together.

Under planning law, development on Green Belt land is generally considered inappropriate unless there are truly “exceptional circumstances”. This is intended to be a very high legal threshold because once Green Belt land is built on, the impact is often permanent and irreversible.

The purpose of Green Belt policy is not to stop all development. It is to ensure that developers first consider brownfield land, previously developed sites, regeneration opportunities, and other less sensitive locations before protected countryside is put at risk.

Cllr Mel Allcott said “We represent our residents proudly and without shame. Green Belt protections exist for a reason, and people expect us to speak up.”

Cllr Karen Holmes, speaking as a local resident and councillor, added “Development in this location would significantly affect the character of our community. Residents deserve to know that every alternative site has been fully explored before any Green Belt is considered.”

The trio made it clear that the final decision will rest with the Worcester City Council planning committee, which is currently dominated by Labour and Green Party councillors. Legally, the committee will have to assess whether this proposal amounts to truly “exceptional circumstances” capable of justifying development on protected Green Belt land.

Cllr Jessie Jagger said: “In a country with a housing crisis, calling this proposed development ‘exceptional’ will threaten the Green Belt everywhere.

If Green councillors on the planning committee allow developers to kill the Claines Green Belt one will have to question their environmental credentials.  

If Labour allows it, they will be giving wealthy developers a licence to print money. There are millions of pounds to be made by causing irreversible damage in protected sites.

Worcester has a history of setting national examples. I urge the committee to understand the responsibility they hold.”

The councillors said they would continue ensuring residents’ views are fully represented throughout the process.