Half-term week offers the last chance for families to enjoy autumn’s glorious transformation from green to gold - Mother Nature at her spectacular best. It’s also a timely reminder of how precious our landscapes are, and why we must protect them from short-sighted decisions made far away from the communities they affect.

Such decisions are happening right now in the Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill. It is facing a tough fight for approval and rightly so. I fully recognise that we have a dire shortage of affordable housing, and we certainly want better infrastructure. But reforming our planning system must not mean riding roughshod over local communities, democratic accountability, or nature.

This Bill risks doing exactly that. It hands sweeping powers to Ministers in Whitehall to dictate how and where development happens, while stripping decision-making away from local councils and councillors. That dangerous centralisation silences communities and imposes unachievable housing targets in areas like ours.

We see the same theme in a different form in the vast Lime Down solar proposal. This industrial-scale scheme could scar our beautiful countryside for generations, cause chaos during construction, and offer little benefit to local people. That is why I am fighting it tooth and nail. Decisions of such magnitude must not be imposed from on high - the voice and views of local residents must be taken into account.

We need a planning system that is "community-led, not developer-led". Too often, speculative developers secure planning permissions but fail to build, leaving empty sites and frustrated residents. That’s why we Liberal Democrats have called for “use it or lose it” rules, ensuring that land with planning permission is built on or released or others to use.

We have also pressed for stronger guarantees that the vital infrastructure of schools, GP surgeries, adequate sewerage systems and public transport comes before new housing, not years later or never. And we’ve tabled amendments to safeguard nature and climate, preventing the Government from weakening Environmental Delivery Plans and nature-restoration duties.

Britain needs homes people can truly afford, in communities where they are proud to live. But we must also trust those communities to shape their own future. It was a Liberal Democrat Minister who introduced Neighbourhood Plans to do just that.

Now we are standing up again for local voices, our precious countryside, and the democratic right to decide what happens in the places where we live.

Cover photo was taken whilst visiting the library of the Assemblée Nationale.

 
A few of the things I've done this week...

✅Caught up with the Severn Area Rescue Association to find out more more about their work

✅Met with Andrew and Gemma from Cirencester Town Council to talk about their fabulous strategy for the green and blue spaces of Cirencester, now and into the future

✅ Met with Cotswold District Council to discuss what local government reorganisation and devolution mean for our area

✅ Dropped in on a flower collage workshop as part of Cirencester History Festival

✅ Met with the Siddington Parish Council to view where the exciting new Trim Trail is going to go!

✅Spent several days with the cross-party Environmental Audit Committee in France, to meet with parliamentarians, civil service, industry specialists and local government as part of our inquiry into toxic “forever chemicals” that could threaten people’s health

✅Got a positive result for a group of local leaseholders who had a sharp and unexplained rise in their service charges. The error has now been corrected, and the managing agents are issuing refunds to residents

✅ Ensured that damaged fencing in Lechlade was repaired after residents raised the issue with my office

✅ Visited Jamie's Farm in Box who have been doing amazing work with young people across 7 different sites across England and Wales. Their therapeutic programme helps children reach their full potential academically, socially and emotionally all in the outdoors!

 
And a reminder that you can check out sources of funding for local projects on our Stronger South Cotswolds website!

 
Noticeboard 

Parent of a child with SEND in Gloucestershire? Please fill out this survey for Gloucestershire County Council

Stay warm this winter and apply for the Warm Homes Local Grant to apply for energy saving home improvements

If you live in Gloucestershire and are aged 14-25, you may be eligible for a Free Travel Bursary. Apply here

 
Housing Management Companies Petition
 
We’re still pushing for legislative reform of property management companies. Sign our petition to the Government to take action to ensure that housing management companies in the South Cotswolds uphold their responsibilities and deliver the essential maintenance services that residents are paying for. No homeowner should be left struggling with poor-quality housing and unanswered complaints.

Sign our petition!
 
Quote of the Week
Government is best which is closest to the people.”

-- Lyndon B Johnson

Have a great week!! 

Roz Savage MP