Petition against mass housing gathers support (From Malvern Gazette)

Petition against mass housing gathers support

11:40am Tuesday 17th February 2009

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A PETITION against mass housing development across the region launched by Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Richard Burt has already attracted more than 500 signatures in support.

Mr Burt posted the petition on the 10 Downing Street website calling for the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) to be suspended.

The RSS maps out the government’s expectations for new housing and employment land over the coming years.

Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon Councils are currently working together to produce the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy, a plan mapping out how the area will accommodate its share of housing. Under current proposals Malvern is expected to have to find room for 1,600 new homes by 2026.

Mr Burt said: “The housing plans are based on a ‘predict and provide’ assessment that bears no relation to current economic circumstances or employment prospects, but will encourage developers to seek the easy option of gobbling up vital green spaces that define our threatened villages over the next 20 years.”

A workshop to discuss the SWJCS is being held at St Mary’s Church, in Sherrards Green Road from 2-7.30pm on Friday, February 27.

An identical workshop held last week at St Leonard’s Church in Newland was a big success, with dozens of people attending and offering their opinions about the plans.

To sign Mr Burt’s petition log on to petitions.number10.gov.uk/SuspendRSS

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