RELEASE of Green Belt land is set to be considered as part of a Local Plan consultation after potential options for development were approved last week.

A joint committee of South Bucks and Chiltern district councillors agreed to take forward the options as part of the joint Local Plan at a meeting on Wednesday – despite concerns being raised last week by South Bucks.

However, councillors discussing the plan at the Chiltern District Council offices in Amersham, again expressed concern about putting forward Green Belt sites, including Iver Heath Fields, and urged the public to have its say in a consultation.

Iver Heath Cllr Luisa Sullivan said: “Residents’ submissions are crucial to this process. I share residents’ concerns about release of Green Belt, including Iver Heath Fields, and I will ensure that the plan provides a secure defence of Green Belt areas.”

It was agreed to take the 15 options for development forward to the public consultation, which starts on October 31 and runs until 5pm on December 12.

The government is requiring local authorities to draw up plans for development to meet housing and business needs until 2036, and requires plans to be approved by early 2017 but has threatened to intervene if areas of “high housing pressures” do not have a plan.

South Bucks District Council leader, Cllr Ralph Bagge stressed the importance of producing “a sound, definite Local Plan” so that Green Belt land could be protected.

He added: “It is key that we follow a realistic process and do not plan fast and lose. We need a really robust and sound plan to make sure that when it is examined by the inspector it is sound and there are no gaps.”

Chiltern District Council leader Isobel Darby echoed the views of the majority of councillors, that infrastructure was crucial to any developments being considered.

She said: “We are overdue for some infrastructure, and if any large development takes place, the infrastructure needs to come before or at the same time as that development.”

Sylvie Lowe, from the Save Iver Heath Fields group, was at the meeting and she felt there should have been more firm opposition to the plans.

She said: "It is disappointing. We thought there would have been some sites that would be removed from the options. 

"As far as we are concerned this has not moved it forward and we still do not know what the criteria is to remove land from the Green Belt."

Visit www.southbucks.gov.uk/planning/localplan2014-2036 to view the plans and for consultation exhibition dates in your area.