THE new leader of the Green Party will be visiting Chester next Monday as one of her first stops since her recent election.

Natalie Bennett will be in the city to lend her support to the campaign against Cheshire West and Chester Council plans to build thousands of homes in the Green Belt around Chester and the surrounding areas.

Ms Bennett said: “The coalition government’s rush to build new houses is ill-thought through and puts builders’ profits ahead of the real needs of people and the environment.

“The last thing we need is bigger commuter villages and more clogged-up roads.

“Building on the Green Belt when there are brownfield sites available simply drains urban areas of the people and the vitality they need to survive and thrive.”

Local Green Party campaigners have arranged for a public meeting, which Ms Bennett will address, to be held at the Wesleyan Chapel, St John’s Street at 8pm. All those concerned about the proposals are invited to attend.

The meeting will be followed by a general Q&A session with Ms Bennett for those interested in Green Party issues.