Following  the sell-off of farms by the Conservative county council, a sell-off to housebuilders by the Crown Estate of 1,100 acres at Orchard Portman is a ‘disgrace’ says the Daily Mail. Conservative Ministers have failed to ensure any returns to the public purse when/if planning permission is granted.

Coming alongside government announcements that house building targets will become “binding” on councils the sell-off has caused real concerns that our area will be concreted over once again. Local LibDem Gideon Amos said “There needs to be an inquiry into this sale. LibDem councillors running the District were beginning a new Local Plan which would be likely to bring numbers down massively. Tory ministers should stop overruling local decisions on planning.” 

We the undersigned call on MPs to hold a Select Committee inquiry into the sale of 1,100 acres at Orchard Portman and to ensure this beautiful countryside is not lost to development. 

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