Land grab claim causes political row between Coventry and Borough councilA ROW has broken out over claims that Coventry wants to use land in Bedworth for extra housing.
Opposing Conservatives at Nuneaton and Bedworth claim that a leaked controversial letter from the controlling Labour Group in Coventry to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government highlights an attempt to annex land in other council areas.
Tories at the Town Hall have challenged the ruling Labour group in Nuneaton to stand up to their colleagues in Coventry.
Councillor Kris Wilson, leader of the Conservative group, said: "Residents in Bedworth should be worried about this startling turn of events. With Coventry already placing a further 4,000 houses in Keresley, how long will it be before Coventry Labour try and annex parts of Bedworth to get their hands on the land, Council Tax and business rates?
"Of even more concern is the fact that because of Labour's inability in Nuneaton and Bedworth to get its act together and produce a Borough Plan in time we are at risk of having to accept even more of Coventry's overspill with another 4,000 houses potentially being dumped in our borough. Then, from the looks of it, Coventry will try and steal that land too!"
Cllr Wilson remains clear as to where the blame lies for the 'shambles' he claims that the borough is in: "The blame rests squarely at the doors of Labour councillors in Nuneaton and Bedworth who fail consistently to step up to the plate and stand up for our residents," the Tory leader explained.
"Residents in Bedworth will be worried about whether they will be sucked into Coventry against their will. Labour always say one thing to residents and then do another behind closed doors.
"But there is only one party who can guarantee that they will never agree to annexing Bedworth to Coventry, and that is the Conservatives."
But Cllr Dennis Harvey, leader of the Labour group, hit back at the accusations, saying: "This is absolute nonsense.
"Firstly, this is merely a letter sent by an individual councillor, not an official letter from the council or a cabinet member, so is not an indication of Coventry council's position.
"It surprises me that the Conservatives claim to know anything about Bedworth, but then I see they don't. Bedworth is to the north of Coventry, not the south or east as mentioned in the letter. No claims are being made on our boundaries by Coventry - what a load of drivel.
"We are working well together with Coventry in the West Midlands Combined Authority and there are great advantages for our borough in doing so."
He went on to conclude: "I ask the Tory opposition to join the real world, and look to a brighter economic future for our borough by working with the West Midlands councils, just as business leaders are asking us to."