Lib Dem hits back in homes row
2:33pm Wednesday 8th July 2009 in Where I Live By Oliver Evans
A LIBERAL Democrat today responded to stinging criticism by Tories that the party is “confused” over home building plans.
Councillor Trevor Snaith spoke after a Conservative Jean Teesdale launched an attack on Lib Dem policy on Government demands for new housing.
This launched a storm of debate on the Bucks Free Press website yesterday (see link, bottom of story).
Thousands are earmarked for five sites by 2026 – Terriers Farm, Gomm Valley, Abbey Barn north and south and Slate Meadow, Bourne End.
Cllr Snaith asked Cllr Teesdale what she was doing to “deliver local homes for local people”.
There is a below average number of 20 to 30-year-olds in Wycombe district he said – and warned they faced being “forced out of area due to lack of affordable starter homes”.
But Cllr Teesdale said on Monday night’s meeting of Wycombe District Council: “I do get confused, Councillor Snaith.
“Your party not so long ago in the Bucks Free Press were saying they would fight new homes, they would stop us from having new homes.
“Now you are begging us on bended knees to see what we can do to change the policy. I find that very confusing.”
She added: “I think your party should get together and decide what you want – local homes for local people or if it is one of your election ploys you get around election time.”
Today the Lib Dem said “massive housing developments” had been allowed by WDC “without the road infrastructure and community facilities to support the extra homes”.
Yet he said while the party does not want more homes it has to meet the Government’s demands.
He told Bucks Free Press: “The importance of transport infrastructure especially in relation to potential building on Abbey Barn North and South and [former RAF base] Daws Hill is crucial.
“It is really important and without this infrastructure much of the traffic would eventually feed into the Wycombe Marsh area and onto London Road.
“So building on these spaces without a transport plan will be disastrous. Currently there isn’t a transport plan that addresses the needs of local residents.”
He said: “The reality is that High Wycombe cannot cope with any more massive home building programmes imposed upon the remaining open spaces. “The residents of High Wycombe want local homes where their children can live nearby. “Most of the homes built recently are not affordable to young local people who are being forced out of the area or else remain with their parents. This is not a good situation.”
The council must bid for a national £1.5bn Government pot to build local homes for local people, announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown last month, he said.
Comments(14)
yog
says...
5:43pm Wed 8 Jul 09
green damage limitation
says...
5:53pm Wed 8 Jul 09
Wycombe Marsh Rebel
says...
6:02pm Wed 8 Jul 09
Lib Dem Legend
says...
6:16pm Wed 8 Jul 09
Wycombe Marsh Rebel wrote:I totally agree!! :)
It seems the Tories are very good at point scoring, but not so good at spending money & listening to residents views. Perhaps they should stop playing games & actually do something useful for a change....like finding alternative sites for housing other than the congested east of the town & opening up some new allotments!
Welwyn Dowd
says...
11:50pm Wed 8 Jul 09
demoness
says...
7:37am Thu 9 Jul 09
green damage limitation wrote:The trouble is, the residents of Wycombe don't agree...
Well done Lib Dems-- keep the Torys on their Toes . They have had it far to easy in Wycombe. We need to see some good policy and the Lib Dems offer it for the residents of High Wycombe
Why else did the lib dems have such a poor showing at the recent elections?
libdem_watch
says...
8:06am Thu 9 Jul 09
yog wrote:So its hardened and angry local libdem lad 'Morty' aye?...
And that shows what matters most to the Conservative politicans in Wycombe. Don't worry about the Town as long as you can score petty points.
yog
says...
9:00am Thu 9 Jul 09
Y.O.G. (hint!)
towncryer
says...
10:50am Thu 9 Jul 09
We dont need any more big developments in the Town. Wycombe has become a commuter town with local people unable to afford the homes being built.
We do need lots of small developments across the district for local people-- and they need to affordable to local people.
Get the Govt money and lets build local homes for local people!!!
DeepThinker
says...
1:56pm Thu 9 Jul 09
Snaith is a real politician.
1. Doesn't really give a flying fig.
2. Loves the spotlight.
3. Says anything to get votes.
4. Full of his own self importance - have a chat with him sometime and find out for yourself.
5. I could go on and on ... ...
green damage limitation
says...
2:14pm Thu 9 Jul 09
towncryer wrote:Have to agree
What planet is Cllr Teesdale on --please stay there!!! Cllr Snaith is right We dont need any more big developments in the Town. Wycombe has become a commuter town with local people unable to afford the homes being built. We do need lots of small developments across the district for local people-- and they need to affordable to local people. Get the Govt money and lets build local homes for local people!!!
From what i can see its Teesdale and Clarke and the rest of the Tory councillors that fail to understand the views of the people of High Wycombe.
They are arrogant and uncaring.
We need more Lib Dem councillors to speak for the people of Wycombe putting needs of local residents first.
Lets get more local houses for local people
demoness
says...
8:50pm Thu 9 Jul 09
green damage limitation wrote:Excellent argument... one problem tho...
towncryer wrote: What planet is Cllr Teesdale on --please stay there!!! Cllr Snaith is right We dont need any more big developments in the Town. Wycombe has become a commuter town with local people unable to afford the homes being built. We do need lots of small developments across the district for local people-- and they need to affordable to local people. Get the Govt money and lets build local homes for local people!!!Have to agree From what i can see its Teesdale and Clarke and the rest of the Tory councillors that fail to understand the views of the people of High Wycombe. They are arrogant and uncaring. We need more Lib Dem councillors to speak for the people of Wycombe putting needs of local residents first. Lets get more local houses for local people
the people of Wycombe don't appear to agree.
Ah well....
green damage limitation
says...
10:14pm Thu 9 Jul 09
demoness wrote:
green damage limitation wrote:Excellent argument... one problem tho... the people of Wycombe don't appear to agree. Ah well....towncryer wrote: What planet is Cllr Teesdale on --please stay there!!! Cllr Snaith is right We dont need any more big developments in the Town. Wycombe has become a commuter town with local people unable to afford the homes being built. We do need lots of small developments across the district for local people-- and they need to affordable to local people. Get the Govt money and lets build local homes for local people!!!Have to agree From what i can see its Teesdale and Clarke and the rest of the Tory councillors that fail to understand the views of the people of High Wycombe. They are arrogant and uncaring. We need more Lib Dem councillors to speak for the people of Wycombe putting needs of local residents first. Lets get more local houses for local people
from what im hearing about the consultations taking place on Housing the Wycombe Torys have got it wrong again !!!
libdem_watch says...
4:28pm Wed 8 Jul 09
You got a whooping Trev - about time too!