MP Challenged over Housing Plans (Andrew Simpson)

MP Challenged over Housing Plans

June 26, 2004 9:00 AM

Prescott's plans will put extra pressure onto building on Dallington Heath

At a packed meeting of concerned residents held on Friday evening Lib Dem parliamentary spokesperson for Northampton North Andrew Simpson challenged Labour's Sally Keeble over her position on the South Midlands and Milton Keynes house building plans.

Andrew said "Pressure for development on Dallington Heath comes from John Prescott's plans for 67,000 new homes around Northampton. We need to know whether our local MP supports the Government's plans or will join with us to oppose them"

Residents heard from the pressure group SOS (Save Our Soil) about the threat to build housing on Dallington Heath as well as the massive plans proposed under the South Midlands and Milton Keynes planning study.

When questioned by Andrew Simpson local MP Sally Keeble refused to make clear her position. She said she was opposed to development on Dallington Heath but refused to be drawn on the Government's house building plans for Northampton as a whole.

The unelected Urban Development Corporation which will manage the expansion plans and house building proposals means that local people will have even less say over any proposals coming forward for Dallington Heath.

"This in effect could mean that it doesn't matter what position the Borough Council takes over Dallington Heath it could be overruled by the Urban Development Corporation" continued Andrew. "The cost will be a massive blow to the environment in the north of the town, it will undoubtedly result in an expansion of the road network into other areas of natural beauty. The environmental costs of the proposals are too high".

Northampton Borough Liberal Democrat Councillors have been alone in opposing the Government's house building plans.