Nicholas Soames MP warmly supports the initiative of the Conservative Group on the Mid Sussex District Council in ordering a re-think over the number of houses that they believe can be built in the district to meet the Government’s imposed targets in the South East Plan.

On the 17th June the MSDC’s Conservative Group referred the Housing Strategy for 2009-2014 back for further consideration and revision.

Nicholas Soames said; “I have always maintained that we need to build more houses for local people, but not on the scale proposed by the Government and only if the housing is supported by the necessary infrastructure such as roads, utilities and improvements to the rail network etc.

“I have worked closely with the District and County Councils to oppose the Government’s unsustainable housing targets since they were first proposed. In 1997 West Sussex County Council together with the local MPs mounted a very high profile campaign which resulted in taking our case to the High Court, but despite all our efforts the Government’s figures were upheld, against the advice of the Government’s own Inspector”.

Mr Soames said; “I have over 12 years energetically and regularly raised my constituents’ serious concerns with Ministers. We need to introduce proper incentives for local councils to build more homes and give local people a say over the right level of development for their communities. A Conservative Government would abolish the whole system of regional planning.”