Residents rally to protect land from development

Campaigners are against proposals to build houses on land near Bath

Campaigners have voiced their opposition to the potential construction of thousands of houses in "beautiful" countryside.

Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES) has earmarked Duchy of Cornwall land near Bath for potential future development, as part of its Local Plan to build about 14,500 homes in the next 20 years.

The land includes a Grade III listed farm, which is among hundreds of acres of green belt land, which residents are concerned will be "lost forever" if it is built on.

There are currently no formal plans to develop the site between Burnett and Corston. BANES has been approached for comment.

Gerald Addicott says the land will be "gone forever" if its developed

Burnett & Corston Protection Alliance (BCPA) has started a petition and held a demonstration on the land.

Farmer and local resident took part along with his granddaughters.

He said: "If this goes into housing it'll be gone forever. What are we doing with our land? This is their heritage."

Fellow campaigner, Caroline Lucas, said: "It's a beautiful, open space. It's conducive to mental health and physical wellbeing and it's here for everyone to enjoy."

Resident Maddy Adams added: "It's home to 500 species of wildlife and rare birds.

"To be replaced with millions of tonnes of cement and concrete and tarmac - it's hardly in keeping with BANES' declaration of a climate emergency."

Caroline Lucas believes the land is good for mental health and wellbeing

Landowner, the Duchy of Cornwall, which is owned by the Prince of Wales, said that while it never put the land forward for development, local housing is one of its priorities.

Liberal Democrat councillor Matt McCabe said: "Really at this stage we have no idea how much land might be available for development.

"But we should be starting to ask some of those questions."