'New' Whiteley Highlights Need For Roads And School

10.22.05pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 14th Sep 2007

Lib Dems say new roads and a school are needed in Whiteley

Liz Leffman, prospective Liberal Democrat MP for Meon Valley, has welcomed proposals for the new shopping centre and housing development at Whiteley Village - but has also called on Hampshire County Council to seriously consider the effects of increased traffic, road conditions and the need for a new school before work begins.

Whiteley Parish Council yesterday announced that USS, who own Whiteley Village shopping centre, have agreed to sell the site to British Land. British Land's plans for the site include creating a new shopping centre with a supermarket and renowned high street stores - and 2-300 new houses.

Liz said: "This is good news for Whiteley residents, as it will mean that they will have a great shopping centre on their doorstep; it's also potentially great news for the environment, because people will no longer have to travel further to go shopping. However, the new centre will also bring people in from outside Whiteley as well.

"This will mean that Whiteley's already congested roads will carry even more traffic, while the 2-300 new houses will mean more children needing places in the local primary school.

"Therefore, before work begins on the new shopping centre and homes, HCC must commit to opening Whiteley Way and to a new primary school at the Bunney Land.

"If they choose not to, all of the advantages in terms of quality of life that this new centre will bring will be lost through traffic pollution on congested roads and more people on the roads each day taking their children to school outside Whiteley."