A GOVERNMENT decision giving developers the green light to press on with plans to double the size of Failand has been blasted by Liam Fox.

The Woodspring MP has written to Communities Secretary Hazel Blears criticising her department for not insisting a full environmental impact assessment be carried out before developers seek planning permisison for 500 homes near the village.

The Mercury revealed late last year that Cheshire developer FLP, a subsidiary of the Gladman Group, wanted to build 500 houses, a local centre, a care home, public open space and a primary school, on Green Belt between the existing village and Long Ashton Golf Club.

In January North Somerset Council ruled the developer did need to carry out a full environmental assessment but that was overturned by the Government Office for the South West last week.

In his letter to the Minister Dr Fox said: "I was appalled at the recent decision taken by your department that no Environmental Impact Assessment need be undertaken for the development which would double the size of the village of Failand in my constituency in North Somerset.

"I wonder if anyone took the time to visit the area before this decision was made? If they had, they would have seen the huge difference that this would make to the local environment, given the geographical position of the village.

"Before the quality of life of those who live in the village is irreversibly affected by this decision, I would urge that you or a senior official should visit the site.

"Decisions taken by an unelected Quango should not be rubber-stamped by Ministers in Whitehall without proper safeguards being put in place."

When North Somerset ruled the environment assessment had to be carried it out FLP said: "We were rather surprised at the council's request for a full Environmental Impact Assessment given that the other statutory consultees, including The Environment Agency, Natural England and the council's ecology and landscape officers commented that an EIA wasn't needed."

While last week's decision doesn't automatically pave the way for development of the Green Belt, a significant obstacle has been removed.