More Houses Anyone?

It's really nice to take some time out of an evening and stroll along Dark Lane. It's a great place to watch the swallows sewing up the sky ready for the night - you might even see the local bat population eating their breakfast if you are late enough.

We at the Dark Lane Action Group think that Dark Lane is fine as it is. Being Green Belt it really should be left as it is - GREEN. As a group of like-minded people we have been meeting together to provide a forum for action against the Dark Lane development. We realise there are many residents of Calverton who feel the same as us. The area around Dark Lane and Keenwell has been freely used for many years, and is the ideal place to be made Calverton's official Village Green.

We all enjoy living in our village and the facilities it provides. We are lucky enough to have most things we need here. But do we need any more housing? Walk along Renals Way. Anyone buying those houses? Not even a sniff for months. Estate agents will tell you the market has slowed down in the last year. Not much is being sold right now.

So why is the Langridge Homes development going ahead? Because our elected councillors are not representing our views. Our Parish Council has not realised how strongly residents feel about this development. Many of us are writing letters to all levels of local and national government, planners, councillors and anyone who will listen in order to get this development removed from the local plan. But it is still set to go ahead despite our objections.

So what is to be done? Firstly, the Dark Lane Action Group is consulting with a specialist planner to find out what we as residents can do to effectively oppose this plan. Watch this space - we will keep you informed of advice we receive and ask for your help as soon as the time comes for further action.

Secondly, call us, write to us, email us to let us know your thoughts, your support will make this campaign a success, not the efforts of a few.

Thirdly, speak to everyone you come into contact with who may have an interest in this issue. Neighbours, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, church members, your local paper, people you chat to in the street, everyone! Tell them what you think, let them hear your views, ask if they think more houses on Green Belt is a great idea. You'll probably find they don't. You'll probably find they would prefer green belt to profit for the few just as you do.