Belper in Derbyshire has a Unesco World Heritage Site at its heart, part of the Derwent Valley Mills and an area of Outstanding Universal Value. To protect and preserve this industrial heritage and the greater landscape it sits in, an area known as Bullsmoor forms the World Heritage Buffer Zone. Of historical value in its own right it is mentioned in the doomsday book supplying hay to the towns folk and supporting the deerpark, now a nature reserve within the town. Even today it is a green corridor from the countryside to the nature reserve within the town. Bullsmoor contributes to the biodiversity of this landscape and supports nesting sparrow hawks most years, bats, bees, long tailed tits and hedgehogs to name just a few species. Its medieval fields are formed by boundries of ancient hedgerows filled with birds and small mammals. Every day walkers, dog owners, children avoiding the already busy road on route to school enjoy this space. It can be seen from the very popular Midshires Way a walk enjoyed by thousands of walkers each year and it serves the town well if they are inspired enough by the view to visit the collection of boutique shops and cafes in Belpers centre.
The town does not require these houses. Belpers schools, doctors surgeries and dentists are all full and our roads becoming dangerously busy and unable to cope. The effect on the towns population would only be negative, and so many are already doing their best to stop this development and supported by English Heritage but their voices are not being heard and the plan has moved into the Councils Core Strategy for development.
Belper needs help to save this beautiful piece of land that has been given a status of global significance, the responsibility for its preservation is keenly felt by the local population, its inconceivable that it should not be considered for a housing estate.
Please help us by signing this petition asking for the land not to be developed and to protected it for future generations to enjoy.
