Rabley Wood rebels campaigning against plans by the Sangster family to build 46 houses on their recreation ground have invited Dame Helen Ghosh, director general of the Swindon-based National Trust, to support them.
Dame Helen is on record as challenging the government’s planning reforms and protesting that local councils are being “hustled” by Whitehall to build on greenfield sites while brown sites go untouched.
Jayne Baker and her husband David, who have led the Rabley Wood residents’ campaign, are both National Trust members and in a letter to Dame Helen say “how pleased we are to hear that the Trust is so concerned about the changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
“As you may be aware, MPs’ have already launched an inquiry into the effectiveness of the government’s planning reforms which cover concerns that some councils are engaging in poor practice in the attempt to meet Whitehall targets.”
And after outlining details of Sangster scheme, which is being opposed by Marlborough Town Council, they add: “Although the land which the developers are seeking to build on is not designated as ‘Green Belt’, it is a very well used amenity area and, of course, the whole area sits within in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
“We know that you are concerned about the reformed planning policy allowing such developments to go ahead and would be delighted to be able to show you the area involved if you were able to take time to visit us.”