IT was disappointing to see Labour vote down my motion, as its contents provided a clear and concise pathway for the council to follow in order to secure key funding for the remediation of contaminated land, bring forward more brownfield sites for development, thus eliminating the need to release sites from the green belt.


The view of the Liberal Democrat Group concerning development and the emerging Local Plan, is that a brownfield first approach must be adopted, and that there should be no development on green belt land until every available brownfield site has been identified and built upon. 


This includes any contaminated land, which we feel should be reclaimed and paid for by those developers that have land interests within the borough.


St Helens has a legacy of land contamination arising from industrial development and other related operational practices. 


Instead of being viewed as a hindrance to development in St Helens, this land should be viewed as an opportunity to assist in regenerating our borough, to improve our local environment and protect our green belt for future generations to enjoy.


Cllr Michael Haw
Eccleston