This was hand delivered to the Department of Communities and Local Government on Thursday 23rd October, with letters of protest delivered to the Prime Minister at the gates of Downing Street.
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"I have argued that I believe that Cheltenham faces its greatest threat for a generation. The town I grew up in, live in and love may be lost forever.
This Government, through the unelected Regional Assembly, is trying to force our town to build 13,800 new homes over the next 18 years. Our population could increase by over 30,000 residents. I fear that what makes Cheltenham special will disappear.
I am against these Government plans. There has been consultation after consultation but the politicians have just not listened. I believe that it’s time for Cheltenham residents to have a real say.
The Conservatives have argued for these houses to be spread around the County and not concentrated around Gloucester and Cheltenham. We want a fairer distribution across the County so that our rural towns and villages can thrive as well as our town.
More than 2,500 residents of Cheltenham signed my petition, a petition I took to London to deliver to the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government. I was joined by other citizens of Cheltenham and together we delivered two other similar petitions. We now await the Government's response. Thank you to everyone who has joined me to fight this important issue."
