Tory Proposal For 'New Town' In Worcestershire Slammed By Lib Dem Candidate

11.44.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 18th Sep 2007

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt reacted angrily today to news that Conservative Controlled Malvern Hills District Council is putting forward proposals for consultation on plans for 10,000 extra homes for Worcester City, including one option to build a new town in the county.

Speaking from his party's conference in Brighton, Richard Burt said: "What possible benefit could a new town bring to the county or to Worcester? It would be nothing more than a blot on the landscape and would create horrendous infrastructure and service problems.

"It is hard to imagine why the Conservatives are floating this proposal if they are not giving it serious consideration.

"What Worcestershire desperately needs is a locally determined and sustainable plan for more affordable housing. Instead, the Tories are buying in to ridiculous targets dictated by central government and delivered through the Tory controlled Regional Assembly."