Plans for Flats Along Lordshill Way Scrapped

November 2012: Conservative Campaigner Trevor Glasspool campaigning against 

development on local green spaces

I attended a packed residents meeting at Lordswood Community Centre this evening along with local resident and Conservative Campaigner Trevor Glasspool. We have been fighting plans by the Leader of the Council Richard Williams to build flats on the green spaces along Lordshill Way. 

I estimate about 200 residents attended the meeting. The hall and corridors of the community centre were completely full and people were leaning in through the windows of the building to hear. 

Labour plans for development have been in the public domain since November and included blocks of flats opposite the Rose Road centre in Aldermoor Rd, on Lordswood Road opposite the cemetery, along both sides of Lordshill Way by the Aldermoor Health Centre and further up by Sinclair School. 

A map showing where Labour planned to build new flats and housing 

(Taken from the Daily Echo Website)

Residents at the meeting were unanimously opposed to the development, raising concerns about the loss of open space, the loss of trees and parking and traffic problems. For over an hour resident after resident called for the scheme to be scrapped. 

At the end of the meeting a vote was taken and every person there voted for the scheme to be scrapped. I am delighted to report that the Leader of the Council said he would abandon his plans and that he publicly gave his 'word' that it would not now happen. Residents will now hold him to that promise. 

Conservatives Oppose Labour Plans to Charge for Green Waste Collections

Local Conservatives are fighting Labour plans to charge up to £55 a year for green waste collections in Southampton, a service which was previously free.

Council officers have warned the Labour Administration that their charges will hit recycling rates in the city; with an estimated 3,000 tonnes of previously recycled garden waste now either going to landfill or incineration. It is thought that 25,000 household which previously used the free garden sack service will not now sign up to the new charges, reducing Southampton recycling rates by 3%.

Labour’s plans come just months after an announcement by the government that the city will receiving funding to introduce a new doorstep glass collection. Labour’s changes to green waste collections will however will more than wipe out the extra recycling this will produce. So despite winning millions of pounds from the government to improve recycling Labour will ensure that recycling in the city goes backwards.

The extra charges come on top of Labour’s increase in council tax, their extra council tax charges for pensioners and their introduction of new residents parking charges. Many residents now face bills of more than £200 a year extra.

The changes will mean residents who want to continue to have their garden waste collected by the council will have to endure a 3rd wheelie bin outside their house as the old green sacks are withdrawn.

Labour’s plans also are a slap in the face for city refuse collections who Labour along with Labour activists in the trade unions encouraged to strike last year. The much reduced service will now mean many workers will lose their jobs.