Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has once again confirmed his support for local residents, at a national conference on the issue, who have suffered the stress and trauma of attempted illegal developments in greenbelt areas. Mark was invited to speak at the conference following his strong support of the residents of Barnacle last year in their fight against illegal traveller site developments.
After the event Mark said:
“The Government’s new Localism Bill grants local councils more powers to deal with the problem of illegal developments and is a positive, substantive, move in the right direction.”
Mark was joined at the event by other MPs and MEPs as well as representatives from BRIAD (Barnacle Residents Against Inappropriate Development) whose fight against illegal traveller sites in Barnacle has ben widely reported.
Mark added:
”This conference has brought together people from across the country and demonstrates that the residents of Rugby are not alone in their fight against illegal developments.”
Mark concluded:
“The conference is calling for equality in planning and I think this is the crux of the debate. We cannot have one set of rules for one group and one set for another. The law must be obeyed and must apply to everyone indiscriminately. For too long law abiding residents here in Rugby, and across the country, have suffered at the hands of those willing to do all within their power to take advantage of weak planning laws through illegal development. Under this government this will not continue.”
As the event drew to a close Mark happily agreed to make representations to government Ministers on a number of issues of concern for the assembled Rugby residents.