Since being elected as Meriden and Solihull East MP in 2019, I have made protecting our Greenbelt one of my top priorities. Protecting the character of our beautiful countryside and natural spaces is so important so that future generations can continue to enjoy it.
That’s why I argue the government’s murky “greybelt” definition threatens our green belt and fully support the Conservatives policy to scrap it.
I was thrilled to host Shadow Housing Secretary, Sir James Cleverly, in Balsall Common recently to stand up against the government’s planning proposals. Over recent years, our constituency has already taken on HS2 and increased housing development, exacerbated by the government’s shocking proposals to increase targets in rural areas whilst keeping urban development low in places like Birmingham.
There is a clear consensus that Britain needs more housing. However, I have always argued that must not come at the expense of our precious Greenbelt. The “greybelt” definition provided by the government in the National Planning Policy Framework has made it easier for planners to build on our rural landscapes whilst opening the door to speculative development. It’s unacceptable and it is clear is needs to go.
So long as I am your MP, I will continue to fight for a planning system that respects communities, protects the environment, and delivers the right homes in the right places. Britain has enough Brownfield land to build 1.4million new homes without trampling over our countryside. My position is unwavering – brownfield development should be the priority, not our green spaces.
I was also delighted to welcome the Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, to Knowle High Street recently, where we visited three excellent independent businesses: Caroline Creba, 1683 Chocolate Place and Eric Lyons. The messages from the high street were clear and consistent: taxes are too high, energy is too expensive and red tape is too restrictive.
As the saying goes, the stats don’t lie. High Street employment is the lowest since records began, even lower than in 2020 and 2021, when Covid restrictions mandated that people must stay at home and shops must shut. We can and must do better.
I’m proud that Meriden and Solihull East has fantastic organisations, such as Visit Knowle, who do excellent work to promote businesses on the High Street and across the village, and it is a pleasure to work alongside them to promote our local economy. I visit local businesses week-on-week, and I invariably leave with great pride of the entrepreneurship, ambition and business acumen our constituency has to offer.
As your MP, I will always be proud to back our local businesses and promote the amazing work being done right here at home.
