Neil Carmichael's Column (From Gazette Series)

Neil Carmichael's Column

TWO constituency issues which have been of great concern to local residents recently are the future of Lister Petter in Dursley, and the planning application approved by Stroud District Council for a Motorway Service Station at Brookthorpe.

Many Dursley residents contacted me after the election about reports that Lister Petter was considering moving out of Dursley because of problems with their existing site. I was extremely concerned about this as it is an important local employer. As a consequence I called together all the interested parties, including Lister Petter and the South West Regional Development Agency in order to try and resolve the issues.

I am pleased to say this meeting was encouraging with all parties agreeing to meet again to explore options for Littlecombe to remain a suitable location for Lister Petter.

Certainly, there is strong community support for engineering to remain at the heart of the economy in Dursley. I will continue to take a keen interest in this going forward to make sure this aim is achieved and jobs in Dursley are secure.

The recent planning application made to build a new motorway service station at Brookthorpe highlights the concerns that many residents have about protecting our environment. Strong arguments have been made by objectors and supporters, including, the impact the service station would have on the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that adjoins the site and whether a stop on the motorway is needed here. Countering these are arguments by the applicants, Gloucestershire Gateway, about the potential for new local jobs, using local food produce, and a financial commitment of £10million over the next 20 years to support rural and community organisations in Gloucestershire, including Stonehouse and Upton St Leonards.

This application will have a lasting impact on the local environment and the residents who live nearby, who have raised some important planning questions, which is why last week I wrote to the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles, asking him to review these, as he has the power to call in the decision for a public inquiry.