Bucks Council urged to 'protect green belt and farmland' by campaigners
A petition has been launched urging Buckinghamshire Council to protect green belt land and farmland across the county.
The petition calls on the authority to “strengthen and uphold” policies protecting green belt land and “productive agricultural farmland.”
“Local farmland plays a vital role in food production, environmental sustainability, and maintaining the rural character of our community,” the petition states.
“Its loss would be irreversible and would significantly impact biodiversity, landscape quality, and the wellbeing of residents.”
The petition also urges Bucks Council to ensure future development proposals are only supported where they are “appropriate, sustainable, and do not result in the unnecessary loss of valuable farmland.”
It adds that development should only proceed where infrastructure such as roads, schools, and healthcare services can adequately support it, and where environmental impacts have been fully and transparently assessed.
The petition also calls for stronger protection of the countryside for current and future generations.
Green Belt land is intended to prevent urban sprawl and protect countryside areas from excessive development.
It comes as Buckinghamshire faces pressure to accommodate around 95,000 new homes under Government housing targets, raising concerns among some residents about the impact on countryside and infrastructure.
The ePetition was launched on May 7 and is scheduled to run until June 4 through Buckinghamshire Council’s website, where residents can add their support online.