Lib Dems welcome Inspectors' report slamming Brown's Building Targets

12.01.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 30th Aug 2007

Local Liberal Democrats welcomed a report from the Government's official inspectors which has told Gordon Brown his house building plans for the south-east are unrealistic and unsustainable. The report concludes that government targets of 38,000 new houses per annum are not realistic and proposes a much lower figure of 32,000, close to the recommendations of the local councils.

The inspectors also say it is not possible for the nation to build its way out of the affordability crisis. "We cannot say whether there would be any discernible benefit at the regional level on affordability from our recommended increase in housing levels," says the report.

Local councillor Tony Skottowe commented: "The inspectors have done a better job for the south-east than they did for us in the East of England plan last year, and maybe this is shows the tide is turning in favour of common sense." Colleague Nigel Quinton added "Perhaps the government will wake up to the fact that they cannot just build houses willy nilly - development must be sustainable and in line with local people's needs and aspirations."

Notes to Editors:

The East of England Plan is on hold at present as the government has had to redo some of its work due to its inadequacy - as we pointed out during the consultation process last year. We expect the Secretary of State to give final approval - or hopefully accept that the case has not been made for so many houses in Welwyn Hatfield - by December.

The cross party NOWAYto10K campaign is now in tatters. Labour's PPC Mike Hobday is trying to distance himself from it - presumably to curry favour with his political masters in government. And Grant Shapps, who has gained considerable political benefit from his association with the campaign, has implied in a recent press article that he will have to moderate his tone on this now that he is Shadow Housing Minister, and is concerned not to be portrayed as opposed to house building more generally.

The Liberal Democrats will continue with its steadfast line that Welwyn Hatfield cannot cope with the requirements being imposed from above and that the government and its agencies such as GO-EAST must rethink their whole approach to achieving sustainable development.

Contact numbers

Tony Skottowe: 01707 324828 and 0789 196 3469

Nigel Quinton: 01707 372673 and 07971 860415