News story

20th December 2000

MP CONDEMNS HOUSING ANNOUNCEMENT

Northavon MP Steve Webb has condemned today’s announcement by the Department for the Environment on housing numbers for the South West as a “disaster” for the region.The region’s local authorities had agreed a plan which would involve 367,000 houses being built in the area over the twenty year period from 1996-2016, but even this was likely to put particular pressure on areas such as South Gloucestershire.The Secretary of State has however decided to accept in full the much higher figure of 407,000 houses which was recommended by the Government inspectors who looked into the issue.In addition, the Government’s statement threatens a “review of the Green Belt around the main urban areas” which could threaten the green fields of South Gloucestershire.The Government has increased the target for building on brownfield land from 44% to 50%, but with vacant developed land being relatively scarce in the West Country, this target will be difficult to reach.

Steve Webb said:

“If these plans go ahead, it will have a devastating impact on our area.If the Government is so sure that urban areas and brownfield sites can absorb so much of the development, why are they threatening to re-draw the Green belt?The Government is riding roughshod over the wishes of the democratically elected representatives of local people and is imposing these unacceptable housing figures.He has shown himself today to be the Developers’ friend.We now have three months in which to show the Government just what we think of this announcement.”

Note to editors: The former Avon area was due to have 67,000 homes under the plans put forward by the South West Regional Planning Conference.Today’s announcement confirms that 74,000 homes will in fact be required of the area.