Lib Dems Launch PM Petition To Suspend Housing Plans

2.23.00pm GMT Sat 7th Feb 2009

Local Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt today launched his petition on the Prime Minister's No 10 website, calling on Gordon Brown to suspend the Regional Spatial Strategy which has resulted in controversial plans for 24,500 extra homes in South Worcestershire.

Richard has campaigned with residents to preserve the village character of Kempsey, Hallow, Lower Broadheath and Newland against large scale housing development, agreed by local councils in response to the government's new housing plans.

"Many people have asked me what we can do to make our voices heard. The housing numbers have been chosen and the development sites proposed, barring last minute adjustments, by the three local councils that make up the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy - all Conservative controlled.

"The new housing strategy should never have been done in this way, but people also feel our local councils have been spineless in failing to challenge the numbers when they had the chance.

"I have called on the Prime Minister to suspend the Regional Spatial Strategy process and empower local communities and local councils to set their own targets based on local, sustainable housing needs assessments."

Richard's petition can be found at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SuspendRSS/ for anyone who wishes to sign. The closing date is 3rd April.