Lib Dems condemn proposed rise in housing numbers

5.12.15pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 3rd Sep 2007

Local Liberal Democrats have been quick to condemn a report by Government Inspectors proposing that 900 new homes should be built in West Berkshire every year for the next 20 years.

Local Liberal Democrats have been quick to condemn a report by Government Inspectors proposing that 900 new homes should be built in West Berkshire every year for the next 20 years. The Inspectors were reporting to Government on the draft South East Plan, produced by the Regional Assembly. They recommend that the house building rate in the South East should be increased by 10% compared with that proposed in the draft Plan. However, the increase they recommend for West Berkshire is a massive 71%.

The Report came as a shock to Dr Royce Longton, the Lib Dem spokesman on planning at West Berkshire Council, who helped draw up to draft South East Plan as a member of the Regional Assembly's Planning Committee.

"The Committee proposed what we considered to be the best possible balance between increasing the provision of housing, particularly affordable housing, and preserving our much valued environment," said Dr Longton. "Now these inspectors come up with figures that, if implemented, would cause irreparable damage to our countryside and its wildlife. They seem to assume that the Prudential's proposal to build 7,500 new homes in the Kennet Valley in Burghfield will go ahead. But that scheme has drawn intense criticism from the Environment agency and other bodies who object to massive development in what is both functional floodplain and a Wildlife Heritage Site. We shall oppose the Inspector's recommendations tooth and nail."