Surrey County Conservatives

Lib Dems urge Surrey to incinerate its Green Belt 18th October 2005

Surrey Conservatives, the largest local government group in the UK, were stunned today when the Liberal Democrat Group tabled a motion at a full meeting of the Council which would result in “potentially floods” of waste planning applications in Surrey’s Green Belt.

The motion, which sought to amend the Council’s Waste Plan and pull the public consultation due to begin on 31^st October, called for all sites identified to be treated equally regardless of their location, even if they were within the Green Belt.

But the Lib Dems did not realise the implications of their motion – and faced an embarrassing defeat when Conservative Councillors pointed out that this would give developers a green light to look at any site in Surrey. Under their plans they have rejected outright the only site beyond the Green Belt and have called for all sites to be considered regardless of location or suitability.

David Munro, Conservative Environment Spokesman said:

“ I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. By insisting that no sites are deemed acceptable would simply allow waste firms to put applications in wherever they wanted. With almost 75% of the County designated as Green Belt I find their motion remarkable. Clearly the Liberal Democrat’s do not subscribe to the County Council’s policy of protecting the Green Belt. They really ought to be careful in what they are saying; this is an attitude which seriously calls into question a commitment to maintaining Surrey’s Green Belt.”