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The Champion • Wednesday 19 June 2013SEFTON Council’s leader has said he wants to put to bedseveral ‘myths’ following plans to hand over parts of theborough’s green belt to housing developers, writes theChampion’s DAVID RAVEN.Following the publication of Sefton’s proposed local planfor 2015–2030, some residents believe the council is‘selling off’ green belt land in order to make a cash profit.But Sefton Council leader Peter Dowd told the Champion ina meeting this week: “The truth is we only own a fraction ofthe development land, the rest of it is private property so wewill not receive anything from it.”Residents have suggested that the council has had regularbehind–closed–doors meetings with developers and hasagreed to sell off certain sites to the highest bidder.But Cllr Dowd said: “I can categorically say I have nevermet with any developers and each meeting for the local planhas been in public in full view of the parish council andgreen belt campaigners.”CSome of these campaigners believe there is an abundanceof brownfield sites in Sefton and that new homes can bebuilt on instead of the green belt land.But Cllr Dowd added: “Sefton is actually running low onbrownfield sites, we have invited people to come forwardand suggest sites but many are industrial sites that would beunsuitable for housing.”One of the main arguments by campaigners has been overthe figures used by Sefton Council to determine the numberof new homes needed.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) predict that Seftonneeds 399 new homes each year but an independent studycommissioned by the council claims in fact 510 new homeswill be needed.Cllr Dowd added: “The predictions by the ONS were onlyinterim and cover up to 2021, there is nothing in theirfigures for the subsequent years.“This is not a conspiracy, we hired independent expertsVisit us @ www.ChampNews.com • 5Housing myths need to be put to bed, says council leader DowdCllr Peter Dowd – keen to dispel green beltmythsCoun Tony Robertson – questions greenbelt policySEFTON Council in partnershipwith the Friends of Alexandra andCoronation Parks are launching thesummer Street Games programmefor 2013.Sporting champion, ChrisMcDermott, who competed in theLondon Olympics for Team GB inHandball, will be at the launch atCoronation Park on Friday, June21 at 6pm.Activities will include kayaking,football, tennis and multi–sports. Acircuit training coach will also be inthe park to lead parents andCOUNCIL bosses are still yet to fully convincethe public and even some councillors that partsof Sefton’s protected green belt should be builtupon despite putting their case forward at apacked meeting in Bootle Town Hall.Government planning rules require thecouncil to come up with a 15–year local planfrom 2015 to 2030 and part of this meansselecting land to build the target quota of 7,000new homes.The local plan is a 282–page document thatwill be inspected by the Government and if itfails to provide enough housing space then its£300,000 cost and two years work will godown the drain. But because of spacerestrictions, with the coast on one side andWest Lancashire on the other, the report claimsSefton is full to bursting, so building somehomes on the green belt is the only option.It was revealed to the public and discussed ata planning meeting on Wednesday night (June12) with several green belt sites in Maghull,Formby, Hightown, Thornton and Southportall marked for possible development.The main dispute between the council andgreen belt campaigners is over the reliability ofpopulation data partly used to forecast Sefton’shousing needs. The council are adamant,however, that whatever population data isused, the results will be the same in that somegreen belt land must be built upon.ImmigrationIndependent town planning companyNathaniel Lichfield, who advised on theLondon Eye and Wembley Stadium, predictedto the council that Sefton will see a growth of9,900 extra people by 2027.But former council leader, Maghull councillorNathaniel Lichfield who say that because of a predictedincrease in housing demand we will need to build 510 newhomes each year by 2030.“The important thing to remember is we are required bylaw to produce a local plan that will be scrutinised by theplanning inspectorate, we are the ones who are accountableand if we get it wrong we will have to start all over again.”Despite this, Cllr Dowd said criticism from green beltcampaigners, including the vocal FRAGOFF (FormbyResidents Action Group Opposition From Formby), is nothindering the situation.He said: “I welcome scrutiny because this is a democraticprocess. In fact I’d encourage any organisation or campaigngroup to participate in the consultation process but we alsowant to hear from the silent majority, including people whoare in favour of the changes.”The 12–week consultation on Sefton’s Local Plan is due tostart in July.Full to bursting – so Seftonneeds land to build housesStreet Games programme launchedSupport to live your life...the way YOU want to• Approved by Sefton MBC• Local to you• Over 16 yrs experienceFLEXI-HELP available:Home-based care2 hours a weekfrom only £24“ The carers make my day - everyday...”73 Liverpool Road, Crosby L23 5SETel: 0151 924 1999 • info@warrencare.co.ukwww.warrencare.co.ukchildren in fitness sessions on thenew Green Gym equipment thatwas recently installed in the Park.The launch will lead to a wholenew programme of free sports andfitness activities in parks across theborough during the summermonths targeting eight to18–year–olds.Details of all activities taking placecan be found on posters put up inparks and on www.sefton.gov.uk.The following evening (June 22)the focus changes to all things wild,when Community Parks Officers1108340...but council chiefsadmit they have yetto convince publicon green belt plansand the Friends of WaterlooSeafront Gardens host an eveningof Bats and Moths in the SeafrontGardens.Many parks provide an importanthome for wildlife, and newwildflower meadows and longergrass areas encourage insects andother animals such as bats to feedon them.The event starts at 9pm at MarineTerrace, opposite the Royal Hotel.On Sunday, June 23 at MarineTerrace, the focus turns tobutterflies with a walk at 11am.We Buy Houses!Quick Decision to Quick Completion• Any Property, Any Area, Any Condition• Probate And InheritedProperty Specialists• Repossessions Stopped At Any Stage• Legal Fees Paid. No Hidden Charges• Calls Answered 24/7• Liverpool’s Longest RunningCashbuyer of PropertyFAST FAIR AND PROFESSIONAL - CALL TODAY!MERSEYHOME BUYERS0800 096 3635merseyhomeReport by David Raven1115959Tony Robertson, disputes this, adding thateven he is ‘far from convinced’ about thefigures and the reasons behind the increase.He said: “One of the reasons we are being toldfor the predicted increase is immigration – sowhat I want to know is; who are these peopleand why are they coming to Sefton?”While some campaigners oppose any greenbelt development, several admit privately thatsome green belt development is a realisticoption but only on a much–smaller scale.Merseyside’s current green belt area wascreated in 1983 with a view to reviewing itevery ten years so there are also suggestionsthat it is long out–dated.Other campaigners believe council bosseshave carefully selected the higher figures totake a share of the New Homes Bonus, a£1billion funding pot pledged by centralgovernment for local councils.The grant is paid for increasing the number ofhomes and local councils can decide how tospend the money. A 2013/14 governmentreport seen by the Champion shows Sefton ison track to receive £2.9million out of this fundbut a council spokesperson denied it wasconsidered when drawing up the local plan.Vintage &HandmadeFAIRSFree Family FriendlyActivities, Puppet & MaskMaking Workshops.Free Craft Demonstrationand Lots More.Enjoy the sounds of the VintageVoice - Naomi Koop whilerelaxing with a vintage tea atthe Chapel Gallery1119983