SANDRA SUPPORTS CAMPAIGN TO SAVE BROUGHTON'S CONSERVATION AREA

10.48.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 12th Jun 2008

Test Valley MP Sandra Gidley MP today hit out at Test Valley Borough Council, and the government over proposed reductions in Broughton's conservation area - and backed the campaign to save them.

Broughton Against Conservation Area Changes (BACAC) have been campaigning against the proposed reductions in the conservation area. They have gained over 150 signatures on a petition opposing the reduction, and have lobbied Maddy Winter, Head of Planning at Test Valley Borough Council. Sandra has offered her support to the campaign, and has expressed her opposition to these proposals in writing to both Test Valley Borough Council and the government.

Commenting, Sandra said:

"I am completely opposed to these proposed reductions in Broughton's conservation area. It is vital that we retain what is best about Test Valley.

"The Conservatives brought in this piece of legislation, and now Labour, allegedly committed to the green agenda, still stand blithely by whilst local authorities are required to review the allocation of conservation areas whether it is beneficial for the local area or not. It is yet another example of central government imposing top-down decisions on local authorities, and a complete waste of council taxes.

"There is an increasing groundswell of opposition in the local community for this campaign. Representatives from BACAC and the Parish Council have consistently opposed these proposals, yet their concerns fall on deaf ears.

"I strongly urge Test Valley Borough Council to look again at these proposals and reconsider the impact of their decision; and I urge the government to review this outdated policy."

ENDS