Earlier this week, seven Labour councillors on Sheffield Council were suspended by the National Labour Party for failing to back proposals in their local plan to build over 30,000 new homes.
When the Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, said earlier this year that he wanted to build more houses he certainly meant it. Now the people of Sheffield are getting just the tiniest taste of what life could be like under a future Labour Government.
Houses, Houses, HOUSES! No regard for what local people want, or what is sustainable for your area.
In May, Sir Keir Starmer, promised a wholesale shake up of the planning system if he becomes the next Prime Minister, including relaxing rules protecting the Green Belt and increasing house building targets.
Clearly, Labour’s policies would lead to a massive increase in house building in areas like Wokingham Borough, even if it’s not appropriate for our area, and a bumper payday for developers.
Labour also say they want to see a reduction in house prices. But Wokingham Borough has seen an increase in house building over recent years alongside rising house prices. This suggests that more houses don’t necessarily lead to homes becoming more affordable for young people and families.
The Conservative Group has been clear we want people today to be able to enjoy the dream of home ownership as previous generations have done, and we want to see more affordable homes. But we want to see a reduction in targets for house building. Where there is development, we want it to be sustainable in the right areas, with the necessary infrastructure.
We have been honest about what is possible, and we have not only campaigned but delivered a reduction in housing targets, as we promised residents. We did this by meeting with Ministers and working with our local MPs.
By contrast, Liberal Democrats in Wokingham Borough made big promises before they were elected. Their Leader campaigned against development at Hall Farm, yet they stopped a petition from being debated at a Full Council meeting. Their national party has called for more houses to be built. The Council is rolling over in the face of development because of the lack of a five-year land supply, such as the application at 6 Johnstone Drive in a semi-rural part of Finchampstead. The Liberal Democrats, propped up by Labour councillors, said they want to reduce the numbers of new houses being built across the Borough. But by delaying a new local plan and not delivering a five-year land supply, they have caused development by appeal as a result of their lack of action.
After more than year, residents are yet to hear of any meaningful progress or achievement from the Lib Dems’ promises to meet with the Government.
Wokingham Borough Liberal Democrats do not have a majority and rely on support from Labour councillors.
Nationally, a vote in the next General Election for Liberal Democrat or Labour candidates would help put Keir Starmer in No 10. This would mean losing protections including the Green Belt. The Green Belt protects our semi-rural character and prevents over development and unsustainable development in areas without infrastructure to support growth in our population.
No party is going to stop development entirely. The Liberal Democrats and Labour pose a significant risk to Wokingham Borough as we know it.
