"Lib Dems draw line in the sand to protect affordable housing" - Brooks

7.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 28th Sep 2006

West Berkshire Lib Dems want to protect affordable housing in the district

West Berkshire Lib Dems last night put a marker down at a meeting of the full Council in a debate surrounding the Parkway development. Concerned that compromises over the development would see a reduction in the affordable housing promised at the outset, Liberal Democrat Members last night categorically stated they would not support any scheme with less than 20% affordable housing in the future.

Speaking after the debate, Councillor Jeff Brooks, who spoke on behalf of the Lib Dem Group, said:

"West Berkshire Lib Dems are immensely supportive of the Parkway development - indeed it is a Lib Dem initiative. However, we are concerned that there is a great need in the district for affordable housing and we would like to see the commitment of 20% honoured. If in the future the developer comes back to the table with further reductions in affordable housing, we simply will not be able to support this in the interests of the ever growing numbers of those in need of reasonably priced accommodation."

Councillor Brooks also put a question to the Leader and Deputy Leader of Council, raising Lib Dem concerns that they had not met with the developers or attended any Parkway-related meetings representing West Berkshire Council. After hearing the reply from the Leader of Council, Councillor Brooks commented:

"I am appalled to hear directly from the Leader of West Berkshire Council that he has left the negotiations in this matter entirely to officers. He should have met with the developers and understood their views first hand. Only by having such meetings can he properly lead the debate on this immensely important scheme, and uphold the interests of West Berkshire voters."