Wokingham Lib-Dems call for debate on housing allocation at Wokingham Borough Council (Wokingham Liberal Democrats)

Wokingham Liberal Democrats <info@wokinghamlibdems.org.uk>

Wokingham Lib-Dems call for debate on housing allocation at Wokingham Borough Council

September 14, 2007 12:00 PM

Wokingham Liberal Democrat Councillors are calling for a debate at Wokingham Borough Council about the Government's recent announcement of housing allocations. It is expected that Wokingham Borough will be required to allow 623 new houses a year to be built for the next 20 years as opposed to 523 originally proposed.

Average Annual Housing Completions 1960-2007

Councillor Stephen Conway (Deputy Leader of the Lib Dem Councillor Group and councillor for Twyford ward) said, "Although the Conservatives pledged to negotiate a lower housing allocation for the borough, they have failed. In fact, they have managed to inflict even more houses on us. Wokingham Borough residents do not want any more houses crammed into our town and villages.

"The Liberal Democrats say the majority of new houses should be in a new settlement based on the Arborfield garrison, which will soon be vacated by the army. A new settlement on the garrison site would take the pressure off existing towns, villages and countryside.

"We have tried to persuade the Conservatives that this would be the best way forward, but so far they haven't agreed. Now the Government wants even more houses built here, I have called for a debate at Council to try and get the Conservatives' agreement to a single settlement at Arborfield Garrison."

NOTE:

The Liberal Democrat motion for debate at the Wokingham Borough Council meeting on 27th September reads:

"In the light of Government proposals to increase Wokingham's housing allocation by 19% over the next 20 years, this Council seeks an urgent meeting with Government ministers to press for the early release of the Arborfield Garrison site for a single settlement to take the pressure off backland, infill and greenfield development in our existing towns, villages and countryside."

The Liberal Democrats first called for a debate about a single settlement on the Arborfield Garrison site in June 2006. The Conservatives voted against it.