We are absolutely delighted to announce that last night our Council Leaders took decisive action towards protecting the South Hampshire Countryside. After careful consideration, the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) Joint Committee agreed unanimously to investigate the feasibility of a new Green Belt. Cllr Woodward, Chairman of PUSH and Leader of Fareham, recommended that the Joint Committee looked positively at the idea which was supported by many Council Leaders speaking effusively about the risks of not protecting the countryside and the benefits for South Hampshire residents. Our collective voice clearly had an effect with Council Leaders stating that it is ‘incumbent upon them to enter into this study’ on behalf of their residents who ‘want these areas protected’. Thank you for supporting our campaign and helping us reach this milestone. The PUSH Planning Officers will now prepare a report exploring the options. They will work with all PUSH Councils, including Test Valley, Winchester, Eastleigh and Fareham who have some of the most vulnerable green spaces. This report will come back to the PUSH Joint Committee for decision at a future meeting. This is an amazing result for us and our beautiful countryside but it’s not over yet, there is still a long road to designation. We eagerly await the timeline of the report and will support however possible. For now, we say thank you to you and our Council Leaders taking action to protect our loved green spaces.