Lucy helps win David and Goliath battle to save Green Belt
Originally published by East Midlands Liberal Democrats
Karen Walsh, who recently joined Derby City Liberal Democrats, has written to the website to thank Lucy Care and Richard Hudson with the Derby LibDem team for helping and supporting Chaddesden's campaign to stop the building of 275 homes on our green wedge, known as Brook Farm.
Karen says
"It would have been a totally unsuitable place on 9.5 hectares, with gradients of 1 - 9 and no suitable road access.
"It was a David and Goliath victory for us against the might of a huge developing building company - Radliegh Homes.
"Without the total support and dedication of Lucy Care the Liberal Democrat prospective candidate for Derby North, as well as her practical input the vote may well have gone the other way.
"Lucy came to the proposed site immediately, and within a week drew up a leaflet based on interviews voicing residents concerns.
"We just kept plugging away even though many people, and the local press who ran articles this week before the planning committee meeting, stating that residents were ''facing defeat''.
"On Thursday The Derby Telegraph were eating humble pie after the surprising victory. Hard work and team effort pays dividends. As well as a big thank to all those who campaigned a special thank you to Lucy Care and Richard Hudson - Lib Dems Derby!"
Lucy says
Local campaigner, Karen Walsh spoke passionately about the importance of not building on Brook Farm Fields at the recent council meeting. Councillors then discussed and rejected the application to build 275 houses on this steeply sloping land.
As we go to press it's not known whether the applicant will appeal. Even if he doesn't, there is still another battle to win to save this land. The version of the draft "Local Plan' published last autumn said this land was good for housing.
Karen said "This is 1:0 to the people in the first round. We need to go on fighting to safeguard this space for future generations."