GUILDFORD MP CHALLENGES PRESCOTT ON SUSTAINABLE HOUSING IN SURREY

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 29th Apr 2003

Following the publication of a damning report by a House of Commons Committee on sustainable housing in the South East, Sue Doughty has written to the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, to ask him to reconsider his housing policy for the South East. The report challenges the Government to produce a Sustainable Housing strategy that re-balances housing demand across Britain. It warns that government plans for new housing in the South East cannot be accommodated without damaging the environment and are unlikely to reduce house prices.

Sue Doughty said:

"It is time the government woke up to the serious problems its housing policies will cause the South East. This report should be its alarm call.

"Recommendations on stronger council powers for affordable housing, a government national spatial strategy to help ease the pressure on the South East, and a comprehensive review of the environmental impact of new housing are all very welcome.

"The report concludes that there is an adequate supply of brownfield sites in the South East, but that local authorities are failing to use them effectively. Surrey County Council must now tear up their spatial strategy and keep off Guildford's greenbelt."

Sue Doughty has welcomed many of the reports recommendations, which would put the emphasis on affordable housing and protect the environment. She added:

"Guildford Liberal Democrats submitted evidence to the Committee for this report and they have listened to what we said. We now need the government to listen before our local environment is damaged and the pressure on our services and infrastructure reaches breaking point."