Sir, As a resident of North Abingdon I am extremely concerned about the proposed 1,000 new houses in the Green Belt. It will also have huge traffic and environmental implications and any housing would be very prominent as the land rises to the north.

There is to be an Examination in Public by a Planning Inspector in the summer into the Draft Vale Local Plan 2031, and the suitability for housing on the site will be examined.

Long-established Government Policy states that Green Belt should only be built on in 'exceptional circumstances'. Conservative Ministers reinforced this in recent government statements in October on the Green Belt.

However, Nicola Blackwood in her manifesto states: "Now (at last) vital improvements at Lodge Hill, Abingdon, have been agreed after Nicola personally lobbied Cities Minister, Greg Clark, making it clear new housing planned for North Abingdon makes this upgrade urgent".

This is very misleading. No decision has been made on this site, it is a proposal and it is premature to suggest that the site is already planned for housing.

The residents hope to have the opportunity to put their many strong concerns to the Planning Inspector in the summer.

Ticia Lever
North Abingdon Local Plan Group
Alexander Close, Abingdon