Cheshire West and Chester Tory council leader attacks his own MP

CONSERVATIVE council leader Mike Jones has attacked Chester Tory MP Stephen Mosley’s opposition to development in the green belt.

City MP Mr Mosley refused to be drawn into a row but defended his stance saying he has long-term deeply-held beliefs on the need to protect the countryside.

Cllr Jones, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, criticised Mr Mosley during a discussion on Chester’s Dee 106.3 radio station about green belt issues including current plans for a student village on green belt land at Mollington.

He said: “The MP has nothing to do with development decisions in Chester and he’s campaigning.

“I have a crack at the Labour Party on a number of occasions where they oppose things for the sake of opposing things and I think that’s utterly wrong and I get the feeling our MP is doing something similar for purely electoral opportunism and I think that’s entirely wrong.

“We are in step with what the Government is wanting. They are looking for growth, they are looking for this country to get out of recession.”

Cllr Jones (Tattenhall), who argued there was ‘insufficient brown-field land’ for new housing, claimed Mr Mosley ‘hasn’t taken the time’ to engage with the council about the process.

Supporting the student village project, Cllr Jones acknowledged he had a prejudicial interest, which the Chronicle has reported includes a business relationship with backers Bell Developments and his daughter’s employment by Bell.

Mr Mosley told the Chronicle: “I have opposed various attempts to infringe on the green belt. It’s not a recent belief. Most people know what my beliefs are. I have a long-term and deeply held conviction.”