DISTRICT and county councillors have urged Alcester residents to speak out to help protect an area of land from future development, writes Helen Clarke.

The Secretary of State recently turned down an appeal by Bloor Homes to build 400 homes on land off Allimore Lane.

Now county councillor Susan Juned has stated that this land should be protected from any future developments and be brought back within the protection of the green belt.

Stratford Council has started its review of the Local Plan and district councillors for Alcester have sent two preliminary submissions to the review.

The council has proposed the land be included as an Area of Special Restriction until 2011 - when its future will be reviewed again.

But councillors representing Alcester felt this would lead to a long period of unnecessary uncertainty.

They proposed the area be returned to the protection of the green belt but this was refused.

The first deposit draft of the new plan will go out for consultation in January, when the public will have six weeks to speak.

The council will consider these towards the middle of next year, there will then be a further and final period of consultation, if necessary there will be a public inquiry to hear objections.