November 2008



I want to keep you up to date on some of the things I am doing in West Worcestershire...


Tenbury's flood defence campaign on BBC Politics Show

I was invited to appear on the BBC Midlands TV Politics Show on Sunday 9th November to highlight Tenbury's campaign for flood defences.

I am delighted that the BBC in the Midlands is giving exposure to Tenbury’s campaign. The BBC knows the region well and is helping me to highlight what a strong case there is to protect Tenbury Wells from future flooding.

Photo: Harriett with journalist Sarah Falkland on the set of the Politics Show

Objections sent to the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy on Housing

I am continuing my campaign to change the outcome of the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy and have sent in a detailed written submission, which you can read here.

I object strongly to the way in which this government has imposed huge targets for housing on South Worcestershire from the top down. Despite this, 4,900 is not an unreasonable number of homes for Malvern Hills District over the next 20 years. It is consistent with the last 20 years. What is not reasonable is to almost double that allocation due to overspill from Worcester City. What is not reasonable is to assume that the housing has to be built in vast swathes on green field sites near Lower Broadheath, Kempsey and Malvern. Let’s plan for more windfall development and more small scale development spread across the district in villages. This will help local rural businesses, schools, Post Offices and other services.

Grant Shapps MP, the Conservative Shadow Housing Minister spoke to a packed public meeting in Powick Parish Hall on Wednesday October 1st.  He has posted an article on the ConservativeHome website on a Conservative approach to housing policy. You can read his article on Conservativehome here...


Photo: Grant Shapps MP, Shadow Housing Minister

Post Office consultation was a sham

In October we received news that the Post Office plans to close all the Worcestershire Post Offices that were named in the consultation.

I am deeply sceptical that my carefully written letters, full of specific points raised by members of the public, have truly been read, let alone given “full consideration”. This Post Office closure programme has been rushed. It is ill-considered and it represents short term thinking on the part of the government.  Read my objections here.


Photo: Public meeting in Poolbrook with L to R Jackie Stenson and Gary Grange from Post Office Ltd, Cllr Joe Smith and Cllr Richard Simmids

Read more about my work and local campaigning on my website www.harriettbaldwin.com or contact me on harriett@harriettbaldwin.com.

With best wishes

Harriett