Green Belt Fight Won
The new Labour administration at the council were proposing to build the houses next to the Gosforth Wildlife Reserve. Councillor Peter Leggott said, "This is fantastic news for everyone in our city. Having just become a granddad for the first time last year I am delighted that the reserve will be preserved for the future."
There was a 2-pronged campaign against the proposals: Within the council the Liberal Democrat councillors joined with the Independent councillor in a united opposition to the proposals. Outside the council was the non-political Save Gosforth Wildlife Campaign Commenting on the campaigns to save the reserve, Councillor David Slesenger said, "We worked tirelessly in the council chamber and in committees. The way
people came together to fight these proposals was brilliant to see. The Save Gosforth Wildlife Campaign should be congratulated on their campaign."
Shocking Plans
Just months after taking control of Newcastle Council, Labour announced their shocking plans to build on much of the City's green land. "We understand the need to build new homes to support our economy," says Councillor Peter Leggott, "But we have serious concerns about Labour's top-down approach to development. Labour's claim that the Green Belt development was needed now stands in tatters, but we need to prioritise the use of land that has already been identified, the socalled 'brownfield' land, for example in the Scotswood and Walker areas."