Lib Dems reject Tory plans for urban sprawl

7.34.03pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 30th Jun 2007

More building sites to come on green fields around Chelmsford

Chelmsford's Conservative council has this week sidelined Lib Dem proposals for a sustainable solution to the local shortage of new houses. Chelmsford Conservatives want to put at least 4,000 houses on green fields around the edge of Chelmsford (link below); and also increase the number of houses built on every single scrap of land coming vacant in Chelmsford. The Lib Dems have pledged to oppose these plans.

More than 70 organisations have submitted ideas for alternative locations for the new houses. The Council has this week started a six week consultation on these sites however the council is hoping no-one will notice! You can find out more about the alternative sites and make comments here: http://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=14104

The Conservatives have also stated their intention to squeeze around 12,000 more houses into the existing built-up area of Chelmsford. The Liberal Democrats are already running campaigns against planning applications to replace houses with flats at sites such as Rainsford Avenue/Rainsford Road and Courtman House, Maltese Road. We can expect many more of these types of applications in the months and years ahead.

Said local Lib Dem campaigner Stephen Robinson, "Yet again the Conservatives are failing the people of Chelmsford. For decades they have allowed Chelmsford to grow larger and larger without sufficient local facilities to back up the houses.

"The Liberal Democrats want high quality, affordable homes in genuinely sustainable communities. That means an end to urban sprawl - Chelmsford cannot just keep growing - and building all the neighbourhood facilities that are essential. The Conservatives must not repeat their mistakes of years gone by."

Related Link:

Lib Dem sustainable housing strategy.