Calls to suspend housing strategy (From Malvern Gazette)

Calls to suspend housing strategy

4:50pm Wednesday 1st April 2009

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MORE than 800 people have signed a petition on the Prime Minister’s website calling for a suspension of the controversial Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for new housing development.

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Richard Burt, who posted the petition, said he was “delighted” with the support.

“It is no surprise that hundreds of local residents have signed the petition. I know from my postbag and from attending public meetings how strongly people feel about the prospects of having developments the size of a small town built on the green corridors that define existing villages and communities.

“In Malvern, large-scale development would threaten the unique character of the town that makes it such an attractive place to live and work."

The petition is due to close on Friday.

Meanwhile, Tory candidate Harriett Baldwin says because her party would abolish the RSS, local councils will have to revise their plans if there is a change of government.

She says development should be on brownfield and windfall sites, not prime agricultural land.

She said: “I object strongly to the way in which this government has forced huge targets for housing on South Worcestershire from the top down. A Conservative government would abolish this approach."

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