Government housing consultation "a sham"

12.44.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 23rd Oct 2008

Liz Leffman, Prospective Lib Dem MP for Meon Valley, has attacked the Government's consultation over proposed housing for the South Hampshire region as a sham. The consultation, which concludes on Friday October 24th, has been poorly advertised, and as a result has attracted very few comments, but will have massive impact on the South Hampshire area, and in particular in Meon Valley

"Very few people have any idea that this consultation is going on" said Liz Leffman. "Yet it will make a big difference to thousands of people in our area. Only 32 people, including myself, have found their way to the Government's website and commented so far. I am convinced that this is not because people don't care, but because the Government's so-called consultation process is flawed, making it impossible for people to have their say"

The proposals include a Strategic Development Area near Hedge End comprising 6,000 new homes, 2,000 of which will be in the Meon Valley constituency, impacting Durley, Curdridge and Bishops Waltham. Another Strategic Development Area of 10,000 houses is planned north of Fareham, which will affect the villages of Knowle and Wickham, and will contribute to increased traffic on the A32 and surrounding villages. When added to the proposed development at West of Waterlooville, this will put huge strain on local services and infrastructure, none of which has been properly planned.

"We need more affordable housing for local people" said Liz Leffman, "But development on this scale is disproportionate, and I am vehemently opposed to it. The South East, and South Hampshire in particular, is already feeling the strain of high population density and poor infrastructure. We don't need more of this"