Put Rotherham green belt before housing, urge campaigners

Rotherham Borough Council says 12,750 new homes  will be needed in the borough by 2026.

That could put more than 1,000 acres of currently protected countryside at risk.

But the Dinnington and Anston Save Our Green Belt group has  written to Planning Minister Nick Boles with its suggestion and is calling for an update on Rotherham Council’s Local Plan Core Strategy — previously called the LDF — which suggested 34,000 homes would be needed when it was first unveiled in 2009.

Three rounds of consultations followed during which thousands of people gave their views.

The group has urged residents to make further objections, which will be considered when the Local Plan is externally checked. www.saveourgreenbelt.info.

Council consultation on amendments runs until February 25.