Northampton must not be short-changed by Government housing plans

1.36.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th Jun 2009

Northampton must not be short-changed by plans for the town to grow by over 30,000 homes by 2026, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Andrew Simpson has warned.

The plans, announced by the West Northants Joint Strategic Planning Committee earlier this week, are part of Government plans for 100,000 new homes across Northamptonshire.

"These unrealistic housing targets have been imposed on us by the Labour government without any attempt to justify them to the people of Northampton." said Andrew Simpson.

"Even worse, these plans have been issued by an unaccountable regional quango - with just six weeks for residents to respond!"

"With massive growth comes a need for more more schools, more hospitals, more community centres and new roads. Yet the Labour Government is trying to put off this cost until after homes are build - even though it leaves growing communities without essential services!"

"Northampton is still suffering from lack of infrastructure provided from our town's last massive growth. Why should our town be subjected to this again?"

"Labour must find the investment to fund these essential services - and guarantee the people of Northampton that homes will not be built until they are in place!"

ENDS