Being featured on Beaconsfield Together Magazine
I was delighted to be featured in the Beaconsfield Together magazine, where I spoke about my priorities as a proud Conservative Beaconsfield Councillor.
Here is an extract:
When we think of Beaconsfield, what image comes to mind? For me, alongside our warm and welcoming community, it is the rolling countryside, ancient woodlands, and picturesque fields that provide a haven for wildlife and a peaceful retreat for residents.
The Green Belt surrounding Beaconsfield is essential to protecting our town’s character, a bastion of green space holding back the tide of urban sprawl.
We now face unprecedented pressure from the national government to urbanise. Buckinghamshire has been assigned a target of over 100,000 new homes. Where and how these houses are built will have lasting consequences for all of us.
Will these homes come with investment in infrastructure such as roads, schools, and local services to minimise the impact on residents? Will they be focused on existing urban centres rather than replacing green field sites?
With changes to planning policies that will heighten the influence of developers, residents need to engage in the planning process. This means pushing your local councillors, elected to represent you, to flag your concerns.
How Residents Can Work with Their Local Councillors
Raise concerns early - If you hear of a potential development that may impact the Green Belt, contact your local councillor immediately. Early intervention increases the chances of influencing decisions before plans become too advanced.
Attend planning meetings - Councillors sit on planning committees where key decisions are made. Residents can attend these meetings, submit concerns, and support councillors who challenge inappropriate development.
Submit objections and engage the community - If a planning application threatens Green Belt land, councillors welcome residents who wish to submit well-reasoned objections. We can also help organise petitions and campaigns to strengthen opposition.
Hold developers accountable - Even if a development is approved, we must push for environmental protections, infrastructure commitments, and hold developers to their obligations.
Contribute to Local Plan Consultations – These longer-term strategies rely on public feedback as evidence to advocate for the Green Belt and sustainable growth.
You can read the magazine here
