Protect Abbots Leigh Green Belt

We’re a community group opposing a huge commercial, out-of-town allotment scheme proposal on open, wildlife-rich Green Belt fields.

These fields are right next to Leigh Woods, a National Nature Reserve and an SSSI. The pasture next to the woodland adds to its richness and biodiversity. This habitat is home to many species including skylarks, fieldfares, thrushes and many species of butterflies and bats.

The proposed scheme would see a huge swathe - 24 acres of meadow - replaced with a large car-park, acres of cardboard and imported compost, with large shipping containers for storage, all surrounded by a tall deer-fence. This would completely change the ecosystem: garden insect species would replace the grassland species that are essential for many woodland bats and birds.

There has been minimal attempt to engage with the local community - or to understand the value of this landscape, to wildlife and people. Our opposition is based on the size, the scale and the detrimental impact on the environment, as well as the impact on traffic on the busy A369, and on the landscape and visual amenity of the Green Belt.

Please help us raise funds to save these beautiful fields from development.