Renewed bid to save green field (From Stroud News and Journal)

Renewed bid to save green field

STONEHOUSE campaigners have made a fresh bid to save one of the last remaining green fields around the town.

Protesters want to press developer Robert Hitchins Ltd to switch a protective covenant to neighbouring land after a possible link was discovered between them.

Campaigners believe the covenant could be switched from a field opposite the former Gartners factory to another opposite Avenue Terrace.

They say a swap was agreed in 1997 between Stroud District Council, the then owner of the field opposite Gartners and the owners of the land opposite Avenue Terrace, Bonds Mill Estates Ltd.

The two could still be linked because Companies House records show that three directors of Bonds Mill Estates Ltd are also directors of Robert Hitchins Ltd.

The records also reveal Robert Hitchins Ltd as a Bonds Mill Estate Ltd shareholder.

Furious objectors turned up at Stroud District Council's scrutiny meeting on Thursday to spell out their concerns over the proposed sale of the covenant for £100,000 to Robert Hitchins Ltd.

The protestors believed SDC was trying to push the sale through without consultation. If the covenant was sold, they said it would leave the way clear to develop the neighbouring green field site opposite Avenue Terrace.

On Monday, Mike Muston, SDC head of development services, told the News & Journal that the council would approach Robert Hitchins Ltd again.

"It's something we have looked at already,"he explained. "It would have been the easiest way of getting rid of the covenant.

"We will put it to them once again to see if there is any change in their position."

Despite the covenant, outline planning permission for a business park on the land opposite Gartners was given on appeal. SDC chiefs fear that Robert Hitchins Ltd could get the covenant lifted, if it appealed to the Secretary of State or the Land Tribunal.

Chris Haslam of Robert Hitchins Ltd, said it was unlikely that a swap could be achieved.

"We currently feel that what we are proposing would benefit the whole of Stroud," he said.

"Even if it was possible it would be subject to legal challenge."

Stonehouse resident Trevor Baker urged the council to fight its corner.

"Stroud District Council's efforts to effect the 1997 agreement are at best naive but more possibly cynical," he said.

Cllr Stephenson-Oliver said he was looking forward to attending a public meeting next week, at the invitation of town mayor, Cllr Mattie Ross.

The proposal to sell the covenant on is likely to be considered at the next full council meeting on Thursday, February 21.

Cllr Ross has called a public meeting on land under threat of development at Park Junior School on Tuesday, February 19 at 7.00pm. All are welcome.