Hucknall MP 'looking forward' to working with new housing secretary on protecting Misk Hills and Whyburn

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has returned Ms Rayner (Lab) to the role she had when Labour returned to power in 2024, before she resigned over a breach of the ministerial code.

Her return to the role will cause some alarm for Hucknall green belt campaigners, given that Ms Rayner was at the forefront of Labour’s plans to build an additional 1.5m homes in Britiain during Labour’s term in office.

But Ms Welsh says she has an ‘excellent working relationship’ with Ms Rayner,,who is ‘well briefed’ on the importantance of Misk Hills and Whyburn.

She said: “My commitment to protecting Whyburn Farm and Misk Hills for future generations remains an absolute priority, and so I welcome Angela Rayner to her new role and look forward to working with her on this.

“I have an excellent working relationship with the new Housing Minister and secured a one-to-one meeting with Angela and senior civil servants when she was Secretary of State previously, and persistently lobbied her on this.

“I can guarantee that she is well briefed on the importance of protecting Whyburn Farm and Misk Hills.

"The civil servants leading the work are also well versed in the detail, so this is very much a continuation of the work that has been taking place.

“My commitment to protecting Whyburn Farm and Misk Hills is unchanged.

In the time since Ms Rayner initially left her role as Housing Secretary, the Planning Inspectorate has overturned Ashfield Council’s decision to refuse plans for 100 new homes on Misk Hills – a move that has prompted anger among residents and increased fears that proposals for 3,000 homes on Whyburn Farm could also eventually get the green light.

Ms Welsh has been seeking a delaying motion on the Misk Hills decision and submitted a letter requesting this with more than 2,000 signatures on it to Steve Reed MP (Lab), who took over as Housing Secretary when Ms Rayner resigned.

She has also continued to work on plans to try and get Misk Hills and Whyburn declared as country parks – removing forever any threat of them being developed for housing.

But with Mr Reed now no longer in post and Ms Rayner back, campaigners are now asking where this leaves the fate of Hucknall’s green belt?

Ms Welsh said: "Governments evolve and ministers change, but the case for protecting Whyburn Farm and Misk Hills remains as strong as ever.

"I will continue working with ministers, officials and constituents to secure the best possible future for Whyburn Farm and Misk Hills.

“This work does not stop because of a ministerial change – it continues, and so will I.”