Our area is the gateway to beautiful and historic countryside, which is only a short drive away wherever you live in the constituency, and it is imperative that we fight to preserve it. I’ll continue to support the efforts of local groups such as Halesowen Abbey Trust to keep our Green Belt free from development, raising objections with planning authorities and encouraging a ‘brownfield-first’ approach for new housing.
When Dudley Council withdrew from the Black Country Plan in 2022 I knew it would raise some concern from residents, particularly those living in the southern parts of Halesowen, and I met with Council bosses to emphasise the need for protecting our green belt.
Leasowes Park in Halesowen is a Grade One-listed park with English Heritage, and its stunning scenery and wildlife is a jewel in our town’s crown, but the lack of visitor facilities is letting it down. I’ve been working with the Friends of the Leasowes Council and Dudley Council to bring about plans for a new cafe, toilets and a visitor centre that the park is worthy of.
Parks and green spaces are important for both physical and mental health, as well as the protection of local habitats, and across all areas of our constituency I am working to ensure that they are safe, clean, accessible and able to be enjoyed by people of all ages.