2:33pm Wednesday 8th July 2009
By Oliver Evans
A LIBERAL Democrat today responded to stinging criticism by Tories that the party is “confused” over home building plans.
Councillor Trevor Snaith spoke after a Conservative Jean Teesdale launched an attack on Lib Dem policy on Government demands for new housing.
This launched a storm of debate on the Bucks Free Press website yesterday (see link, bottom of story).
Thousands are earmarked for five sites by 2026 – Terriers Farm, Gomm Valley, Abbey Barn north and south and Slate Meadow, Bourne End.
Cllr Snaith asked Cllr Teesdale what she was doing to “deliver local homes for local people”.
There is a below average number of 20 to 30-year-olds in Wycombe district he said – and warned they faced being “forced out of area due to lack of affordable starter homes”.
But Cllr Teesdale said on Monday night’s meeting of Wycombe District Council: “I do get confused, Councillor Snaith.
“Your party not so long ago in the Bucks Free Press were saying they would fight new homes, they would stop us from having new homes.
“Now you are begging us on bended knees to see what we can do to change the policy. I find that very confusing.”
She added: “I think your party should get together and decide what you want – local homes for local people or if it is one of your election ploys you get around election time.”
Today the Lib Dem said “massive housing developments” had been allowed by WDC “without the road infrastructure and community facilities to support the extra homes”.
Yet he said while the party does not want more homes it has to meet the Government’s demands.
He told Bucks Free Press: “The importance of transport infrastructure especially in relation to potential building on Abbey Barn North and South and [former RAF base] Daws Hill is crucial.
“It is really important and without this infrastructure much of the traffic would eventually feed into the Wycombe Marsh area and onto London Road.
“So building on these spaces without a transport plan will be disastrous. Currently there isn’t a transport plan that addresses the needs of local residents.”
He said: “The reality is that High Wycombe cannot cope with any more massive home building programmes imposed upon the remaining open spaces. “The residents of High Wycombe want local homes where their children can live nearby. “Most of the homes built recently are not affordable to young local people who are being forced out of the area or else remain with their parents. This is not a good situation.”
The council must bid for a national £1.5bn Government pot to build local homes for local people, announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown last month, he said.
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