On Sunday afternoon, 150 local people walked around historic and beautiful Keresley to protest against plans to build 3100 homes on land that was until recently greenbelt. Coventry council themselves said, in 1995, it is the best remaining piece of the Ancient Arden landscape (the model for Shakespeare’s Forest of Arden) People were amazed to learn that a rare Charles the Bold Doubloon, from the 1400’s was found in the fields, and that high quality floor tiles found behind behind the Royal Court Hotel probably indicate the site of a medieval chapel, – old maps confirm the conclusion; the site is called ‘God’s hill’.
A local, Phil Blackmore, said “I’ve lived here most of my life and this is disgusting. Why spoil beautiful countryside? It shouldn’t be allowed. Who has been given a backhander? Everyone walks their dog and goes out here to get a bit of peace and fresh air”” .
Another walker said, “an election is coming very soon and we don’t think Geoffrey Robinson will stand again. Anyone who campaigns on greenbelt, as a main pledge, has a really good chance of winning in Coventry Northwest. People in around here are furious about this.
People came from all parts of the city to take part- and to protest at plans for 13,000 homes on former greenbelt, from Kings Hill in Finham, on round through Westwood Heath, Cromwell Lane, Eastern Green, Coundon Wedge, and Keresley – it adds up to a new town the size of Bedworth, and the hospitals, and schools already can’t cope while the roads are choked and the air is foul. Organisers asked why is the council doing this when these homes are not actually needed on any plausible estimate of population growth?
Walkers carried signs that said,
“Coventry should review it’s local plan now. A population boom is NOT happening here”
“Save our Green Belt
“Climate Change! Don’t build on town edges Suburbs emit double, triple C02”
Organisers, Ann Evans, Dorothy Hall, Lorna Humphreys, Eileen Hughes, Colin Smith, and Merle Gering urged local people who care about wildlife, our precious historic landscape, and climate change to get in touch via our facebook page “Keep Our Green Belt Green. Coventry and Warwickshire” or to email info@coventrygreenbelt.org. They said, There is no need to build on the green fields – all the houses that are really needed will fit on brownfield. Coventry council needs to wake up.
