Liberal Democrats Attack Tory Housing Plans

6.55.31pm GMT Wed 10th Jan 2007

Milton Keynes Liberal Democrats have slammed proposals from Tory-controlled Bucks County and Aylesbury Vale District Councils to build a new town of up to 12,500 homes in rural areas of Milton Keynes to the East of the M1.

The Tory Councils' proposals also include doubling the number of homes within the existing new city. The public were consulted on 8,500 homes. Now the Tories propose up to 17,000.

The two Tory-run Councils commissioned consultants, Colin Buchanan, to challenge the Milton Keynes Growth Strategy and to look specifically at the feasibility of expansion taking place on the other side of the M1. The Growth Strategy was the subject of extensive public consultation last year and does not include housing to the East of the motorway. The report will be used by the two Councils to fight plans for new housing in the Newton Longville area.

Liberal Democrat Council Leader, Isobel McCall, said: "I am disappointed that Milton Keynes Partnership are not going to challenge the Buchanan report issued by these Tory councils. Milton Keynes Council certainly will be! I have just asked our planning staff to commission a report to challenge these proposals. We intend standing up for the people of Milton Keynes and will strenuously defend the Tory attack on our rural villages East of the M1 and our green spaces within the new city."

"These plans have come as a complete shock to residents in rural villages to the East of the M1," said Liberal Democrat councillor Pat Seymour, who represents the villages under threat. "The option of possible expansion in this area was discarded months ago and now we find the neighbouring Tories are trying to resurrect the idea and are intending to fight for thousands of the new homes designated for the Milton Keynes area to be built in our beautiful villages. I am helping residents to fight these proposals."

Council Leader, Isobel McCall, added: "The Council's ruling Liberal Democrat Group is totally opposed to the Tory proposals, both for the rural areas and for the existing city of Milton Keynes. We will fight to protect our villages to the East of the M1 and the green areas within existing estates. The public have not been consulted on these latest proposals. I would be appalled if these late plans sway the South-East Plan decision makers."