Action group leaders to give evidence

Leaders of the Save Woodlands Farm and Save Engine Common action groups have been invited by South Gloucestershire Council to speak as part of its evidence at the Examination in Public (EiP) for the Council's Core Strategy (planning blueprint for the next 15 years). The EiP is for the inspector to hear challenges to the Core Strategy, so residents who support the Council in not allocating Woodlands Farm, Coalpit Heath and Engine Common for housing will not be able to join the discussions. Members of the public are, however, able to attend any of the sessions and sign the attendance register where they can show why they are there. A good attendance from the Action Groups may help the Inspector realise that the development of these areas is not wanted locally. Also, at the pre-hearing meeting the Inspector said that the Council could ask third parties to speak as part of its own evidence. The Council has therefore asked Richard Merrick (Save Woodlands Farm) and Mike Keenan (Save Engine Common) to help them defend the Council's position.