Sir – There is a battle going on in South Oxfordshire and the Vale to protect the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The AONB has a higher level of protection than the Green Belt, being designated by act of Parliament for the beauty of its landscape. The Green Belt is a local designation, not necessarily based on natural beauty, to prevent towns and villages expanding into one another.
The Green Belt is fortunate to have Lib Dem councillors representing many of its wards on Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC). They have mounted a vociferous campaign to protect the Green Belt. Unfortunately the AONB area to the south of the county is represented by Conservative councillors who have not spoken out publicly to protect their beautiful landscape, which VWHDC now wants to designate for an unsustainable settlement of 1,400 homes.
If local authorities are to designate large areas of Oxfordshire for housing, it is more important than ever to uphold the AONB’s protection by Parliament to ensure an area of naturally beautiful countryside for all to enjoy.
Frank Dumbleton
Chilton
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