SPRING WALK FOR THE GREEN BELT

JOIN US

Saturday 18 April 2026 – 8.30am
Meeting point: Hunters Arms Car Park, Church Street, Kilburn

As part of the National Day of Action for Nature, join us for an easy, early morning walk across the Green Belt land we are working to protect.

This is a free, family-friendly event and everyone is welcome – no booking required!

The route will take us over to Horsley, where breakfast cobs and refreshments will be available to purchase at The Coach & Horses, before we head back to Kilburn.

Finish time: approximately 11–11.30am

STRATEGIC OBJECTION UPDATE

As mentioned last week, we have submitted a revised and significantly strengthened version of our strategic objection document:

“The Case for Refusal: Proposed Development on Green Belt Land at Kilburn and Horsley”

This has been sent to Amber Valley Borough Council, our local MP, and our borough councillors.

 Read the full document here:
https://skhgb.co.uk/revised-strategic-objection-document/

HOMES FOR EVERYONE

SKHGB is backing the Homes for Everyone campaign, particularly its focus on practical, deliverable solutions:

• Prioritise Brownfield Land
Development should come forward on brownfield sites before any loss of Green Belt. The evidence shows capacity for at least 1.2 million homes across around 23,000 sites. Additional opportunities exist above car parks and supermarkets without building on open countryside.

• Bring Empty Homes Back Into Use
Around 1.55 million homes across England and Wales remain empty. Approximately 70,000 are in public ownership. Refurbishment is faster and typically around 20% more cost-effective than new build.

• Build What Already Has Permission
More than one million homes already have planning permission but have not been built. This weakens the case for releasing more land, particularly Green Belt.

• Take Action
We encourage residents to contact their MP in support of this campaign:
https://homesforeveryone.org/

LOCAL MP CONTACTED – UPDATE

We have contacted our local MP, Linsey Farnsworth, to request continued support ahead of the upcoming decision.

At the time of writing, we are still awaiting a response. There is a growing expectation among residents for clarity on how she intends to represent the community on this issue.

NEW FACEBOOK CAMPAIGNS – WE’D VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK

Have you seen our new campaigns? We’d really like to hear what you think.

• “This Affects You”
Focuses on the real, everyday impact this development would have – from traffic and road safety to pressure on local services.

• “Voices of the Green Belt”
“This land is not empty. It is home.”
Highlighting the wildlife and biodiversity at risk.

 Please share your thoughts in the comments or message us directly.

WHY THIS MATTERS – EVEN IF YOU DON’T LIVE NEAR THE SITE

It’s easy to think this only affects nearby residents. It doesn’t.

Traffic, services and daily life

• Extra vehicles spread across routes we all use
• Infrastructure is already under pressure
• You don’t have to live nearby to feel the impact

A precedent for the future

• This is not a one-off decision
• Approval makes future Green Belt development harder to resist
• It won’t stop here

Standards and fairness

• Weak evidence sets a precedent
• The same standards will affect other communities
• The rules applied here will apply to you

Environment and Green Belt

• Flood risk, drainage and biodiversity affect the wider area
• Once Green Belt land is lost, it is gone for good
• This land is part of our shared identity

Bottom Line

This is not a local inconvenience
It is a test case for Amber Valley

This affects all of us