Over the summer, the Government consulted on a new formula for assessing how many houses were to be built nationally and where they would be built. I was deeply concerned by the effect that the proposed changes would have on Eastleigh and have been making the case to Ministers that this should be scrapped. I also made clear to the Government that I would vote against these plans if they were not amended. Today, I am pleased to announce that the Government have listened to me and will not be making any changes.
We have had years of over-development in Eastleigh locally which has been inflicted on us by the Lib Dem controlled Council. This new formula would have made things even worse, however, I am pleased the Government has listened to the arguments that my colleagues and I were making and dropped this plan. This will help protect our communities from any centrally imposed housing targets, however, we must still continue to fight the enormous levels of over-development locally which is being approved by Lib Dem Eastleigh Borough Council. If the Government can listen and change its approach, then so can our local Council.
My submission to the consultation in September is attached below.
