I applaud the Council’s Planning Committee for last night sticking to their guns and refusing the planning application from Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School to build a new school on green belt land near Old Hall Lane in Whitefield.

I know there were other factors, notably the under capacity at the school , but to my mind the overriding factor is that green belt land should not be built on. There is rarely an argument strong enough in my opinion to warrant removing for all time yet another green corner of our land. We must continue to take all necessary actions to protect and preserve our green belt.

So far as the school is concerned I understand their dissapointment and frustration. I would urge them to continue looking for a better location - perhaps a brownfield site in the area - but would ask them to see the big picture here, and try and understand the need to protect our diminishing green belt.