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The Champion • Wednesday 9 January 2013Brownfield sitesmust take priorityMP claims spaces must be built onbefore any green belt developmentsReport by Stephanie O’ConnorFVisit us @ www.ChampNews.com • 5FORMBY’S MP Bill Esterson has called on thegovernment to take action to protect the greenbelt by ensuring that brownfield sites are thefirst to be built on.Mr Esterson said suitable brownfield sitesmust be the first locations in Sefton for anyplanned new housing, but this can only happenif the money is available to deal withcontaminated land.His calls come after David Wilson Homes andBarratt submitted plans to build 270 homes ongreen belt land in Formby, while anotherdeveloper has announced plans to build morethan 500 homes on green belt land in Lydiate.Mr Esterson put his concerns to the Secretaryof State for Communities and LocalGovernment, Eric Pickles MP about the issue.Speaking in Parliament he said: “Developersin my constituency tell me that they can makefar more money building on the green belt thanon brownfield sites. Is not the reality thatdecontamination of brownfield sites inboroughs such as Sefton is needed to protectthe green belt and boost the economy?”Safe and soundIn response, Mr Pickles said: “The truth is thatwe are making money available to ensure thatcontaminated brownfield sites can be dealtwith. He is making an enormous mistake insuggesting that all brownfield sites areundevelopable; that is entirely wrong. Somebrownfield sites are green and some greenfieldsites are brown.”The Secretary of State then went on to say:“The green belt remains very safe and sound incoalition care. The position is clearly laid out inthe national planning policy framework, andthe bill does not affect the green belt one iota.”But Mr Esterson said the government wereplaying politics with the country’s greenbelt.He said: “Eric Pickles, the Tories and LibDems in Government are saying one thing, butencouraging developers in to do another.“They introduced the National PlanningPolicy Framework which gives the greenlightto building on the green belt.“Instead of Mr Pickles usual doublespeak, Iwant to hear him and his fellow ministers statecategorically that the green belt should not beThe area of Formby’s green belt earmarkedfor development, which campaigners arefighting to save, was completely floodedjust before ChristmasCode NAMP Bill Esterson.Code1047537built on. If he is serious about protecting thegreen belt, he needs to make sure that themoney is available to decontaminatebrownfield sites so that they can be developedinstead. Developers will build on brownfieldland but only if it is cost effective.“He refuses to do that, but instead opens thefloodgate for developers to build on our greenbelt in Formby and in Lydiate directly againstthe community’s wishes.”s.oconnor@champnews.comThe team at Formby Thomson who have won the Regional Shop of the Year award. (l–r) areLiam O Connor, Sarah Jayne Gilligan, Sarah Griffin and Carly Macmillan. Code1055670Travel agents win awardTHE Formby branch of Thomson’s TravelAgents has scooped the regional shop of theyear award at a recent ceremony.Last month at the 2012, TUI (TouristikUnion International) Regional Awardsceremony, Thomson’s retail store inFormby picked up the award for RegionalShop of The Year for the Liverpool region.Carly Macmillian, retail manager said “Iwould like to take this opportunity to thankour amazingly hard working team; Liam,Ann–Marie, Sarah–Jayne, Kim and Sarah, aswell as our loyal customers who helped uswin this prestigious award. It has been agreat year and we are all delighted with theoutcome.”11153971115456Had an accident?We offer a no win no fee service, which meansyou keep 100% of your compensation.We have a proven track record over many years.Our clients receive the highest level of compensationas quickly and as stress free as possible.0800 694 6660Family services -Flying the Flag for You and Your FamilyLIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE 0151 227 4545AINTREE FORMBY HESWALL HUYTON KIRKBY MAGHULL WEST KIRBY