Sutton’s work to tackle climate change and involve all sectors of the community has been described as “very impressive” by a Government Minister, who visiting the borough to witness a host of community projects first hand.
Don Foster MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government visited Sutton and heaped praise on the borough after being shown a number of key projects.
Communities Minister Don Foster said: “I have seen for myself today what a terrific example Sutton is of what can be achieved when local councils and communities work together. I’ve been very impressed by projects like the BedZED low carbon development that showcases the type of buildings we need to build everywhere if we’re serious about tackling climate change, and the Circle Library that has involved the whole community in its development.
“And I’m also impressed that Sutton isn’t being complacent and is embracing new community rights devolved from central government such as neighbourhood planning, giving Hackbridge residents a real say in how they shape their community for the future.”
During the visit Mr Foster was taken to the Heart of Hackbridge Exhibition, BioRegional’s HQ BedZED and the Circle Library and met with leading local figures to discuss future plans.
Following the visit Cllr Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Borough Council said: “We were delighted to welcome Don to Sutton and show him some of the borough’s most innovative schemes.
“He was extremely complimentary about the vision we have for the borough and the work we do here to include all sectors of our diverse community. We will now continue with our plans to make Sutton a greener cleaner borough and look for new and innovative ways to ensure it remains prosperous for all of our residents, encouraging local economic growth and new jobs.”
The Minister stopped at the BedZED development – an environmentally friendly low carbon housing development in Hackbridge – where he met with Bioregional representatives, the Chair of the Neighbourhood Planning Group and borough councillors. During his visit he heard about the development of a Neighbourhood Plan, the Hackbridge Improvement Plan and the proposed district heating system.
BedZED, BioRegional’s Chief Executive, Sue Riddlestone said: “The Minister stated that he’d ‘never come across anywhere where there is so much going on in one place!’ This is a tribute to the successful partnership between ourselves, Sutton Council and Neighbourhood Development Group and indeed the dozens of local people at the Heart of Hackbridge exhibition who, only today, were actively engaged in making their community a better place.”
Mr Foster arrived at Hackbridge just after 1pm before returning to central London during the evening. He became an MP in 1992 and currently represents the people of Bath. He is married with two children. 