Colne Valley Regional Park 'under attack' from developments like Heathrow Expansion, MP says

Beaconsfield MP Joy Morrissey said greenbelt at the Colne Valley Regional Park is ‘under attack’ from plans such as the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

Mrs Morrissey secured an adjournment debate in the House of Commons on Friday, July 11 where she raised concerns over major developments impacting upon the park, which sits within the greenbelt on the western side of London.

The vast area of green space encompasses a host of villages, including Iver Health and the Ivers in South Bucks.

During the debate, the Conservative MP said: “Our issue is that little bit of greenbelt - some of which is as small a divide as the area between the two sides of the House - which is our last remaining bit of greenbelt, and which separates us from London, is under attack.

“It is under attack from overdevelopment, the expansion of Heathrow, HS2 and motorway expansion.”

Jack Rankin, the Conservative MP for Windsor said the proposals for a third runway at Heathrow Airport would take ‘900 acres of the regional park directly’ and the indirect consequences on Colnbrook and Horton would be ‘irreparable’.

The plans for a third runway at the airport have been in the pipeline since the early 2000s, and have faced backlash from political figures and environmental groups over the years.

In January, Labour chancellor Rachel Reeves said the Government was backing the controversial plans.

During Friday’s debate, Mr Rankin asked if Mrs Morrissey condemned the Chancellor for ‘pressing the panic button and inflicting irreversible damage’ on the park.

Mrs Morrissey said the expansion will ‘impact us in such as negative way’.

She added: “I have fought to stop the third runway at Heathrow and to champion and protect our greenbelt.

“The problem is we have very little greenbelt there, and the expansion would increase the impact on that greenbelt, both with cars coming into Heathrow and planes taking off.

“The amount of greenbelt that would be consumed would be devastating to my area, as I am sure it would be to my [honourable] Friend’s.”

“This is a time for the Government to do something incredible. They can preserve the green space of the Colne Valley Regional Park, which provides the vital lungs for London, while allowing their infrastructure to flourish around it.”

Mrs Morrissey explained that this is a cross-party issue because it crosses into London, Buckinghamshire, Slough and Windsor and into Labour, Lib Dem and Conservative constituencies.

She added that there is an ‘urgent need to look at extending’ the Chilterns ANOB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) to include Colne Valley Regional Park or a progress needs to take place on a specific designation for the park itself.

This debate coincides with the recent announcement that Secretary of State Angela Rayner has given the green light to build a new data centre complex, known as the West London Technology Park, on the Woodlands Park Landfill Site, which sits in a section of the Colne Valley Regional Park.

Matthew Pennycook, Labour minister for housing and planning, said he believes the bulk of Mrs Morrissey's concerns stem from the park not having 'any statutory status'. 

But he explained this is not something he could give her a commitment from the Dispatch Box during the debate. 

Mr Pennycook said he is willing to meet with Mrs Morrissey and other MPs to discuss how they can ensure the park is ‘protected for current and future generations to enjoy’.

He added: “I am clear that appropriate protections are in place to safeguard the country’s parks and green spaces, and that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will unlock a win-win for the economy and nature.”

A Heathrow spokesperson, said: "As with all developers, our current and future plans must demonstrate a net gain for biodiversity, and this would be true for any expansion of the airport.

"We know firsthand how important biodiversity is which is why we’re proud to have a biodiversity benchmark award for best-in-class sites."