The survey we carried out of residents across Newton Hall, Pity Me, Witton Gilbert, Framwelglate Moor and Brasside returned an overwhelming response in relation to building on the greenbelt and a feeling of failure by the Council to consult with residents.

Over 80% of those who responded believe the council hasn’t consulted properly with them. Over 80% are also against the current plans to build 5000 new houses on the greenbelt.

In response, as can be seen on the Northern Echo Website today, Labour Regeneration Cabinet member Neil Foster has tossed aside residents views, saying that this is a “silly season scare story”.

Clearly Labour couldn’t give a damn about residents views around Durham City.  I do not think that responses of over 300 residents should be  disregarded in this flippant manner.

Cllr Foster (who lives in Tudhoe) talks about only 4% of greenbelt being built on. What he fails to recognise is that here in the West of Durham City the Council is earmarking a massively larger percentage of the greenbelt for building on.

72% of residents said they didn’t feel we needed any new housing to the west of the City.

Even if we accept that some new housing should be built in the county –  which I do accept, a strategy of saturation in one part of County Durham, to this extent will overwhelm this side of the City and destroy the quality of life for existing residents. Upto 10,000 additional cars on our roads doesn’t bear thinking about.

I will shortly publish the responses both in favour and against the proposals for housing, Aykley Heads and the relief roads here on this site for everyone to read.

In the meantime, if you feel as strongly as I do that the Labour administration has no intention of listening to Durham residents, please let your concerns be known in the local press by contacting the Durham Times, Northern Echo and other local papers to voice your concerns. This is one way that we can start a meaningful debate on the whole issue.