THE SECRETARY of state for communities and local government visited Thornbury yesterday to support the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Thornbury and Yate, Luke Hall.

Luke was launching his campaign to identify local areas that could be protected by ‘Local Green Space Designation’ status and to reaffirm his commitment to protecting the green belt.

Eric Pickles, on concerns that the local authority is unable to protect Thornbury’s green belt he called on the authorities to produce a Local Plan in order to prevent unwanted development.

“Without a Local Plan there is not a lot that can stop developers being granted planning permission for green belt developments.

“Everyone is entitled to justice but I can’t make individual comments on planning applications.”

Previously, Luke has campaigned to protect Woodlands Farm in Coalpit Heath and the green space East of St John’s Way in Chipping Sodbury.

Luke said: “Thornbury has seen large scale developments approved in recent years, it is now clear that opposing planning applications as they come along is no longer enough.

“We need a long-term strategy to protect our green spaces and stop continuous expansion and development so that these areas remain there for our children to enjoy long into the future.

“Having more land formally designated as Green Space should form part of a long-term strategy to protect our local area, and this is where help from local residents is so vital.

“I would like to invite all local residents to get involved by suggesting green spaces that need protecting. We need to apply for protection for as many suitable green spaces as possible.”

While in Thornbury, Mr Pickles also backed Luke’s campaign to scrap the green bin tax in South Gloucestershire.

The prospective Conservative MP Luke Hall which, he claims, has proven costly for local tax payers who have had to foot the £650,000 to implement the scheme.

Luke’s campaign has received the support of over 6,000 residents locally. A petition with their signatures has been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council, forcing a special debate on the issue to be held at South Gloucestershire Council’s Civic Centre.

The communities committee recently met to decide the future of the green bin tax which was agreed on by Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors.

At the meeting Lib Dem Councillors on the committee voted to continue the green bin tax.

Luke Hall said: “It is extremely disappointing that once again the Lib Dem Bin Tax has been voted through by Labour and Lib Dem councillors, despite strong objections from thousands of residents from around South Gloucestershire.

“This stealth tax is costing hard pressed families £36 a year. It also leaves our community more vulnerable to fly tipping and sends a bad signal to everybody in our local area who has worked so hard to improve recycling rates in recent years.”