“Labour is now the party of rural England”

Triatram Hunt (Labour) writing in the Daily Telegraph:

” … Once, Conservative politicians believed in conservation; in defending the institutions that helped preserve our national character. Well not this lot. In the last Parliament, they came for the forests; now they have our national parks, green belt and marine environment in their sights.

So enraging is this casual disregard for England’s loveliness that it makes you question the health of our democracy itself. What allows a government with so paltry a majority the mandate to ride roughshod over something so ingrained within our national psyche? We in the Labour Party have a responsibility to hold this Government to account more effectively and to present a new vision of conservation, rural prosperity and stewardship. Because it is our bequest, as a great governing party of the 20th century, that is now in jeopardy.”

https://t.co/RErUZ4y8bz

Swire’s views on Exmouth seafront development … …

“Following a meeting on Friday 19 December on the proposed re-development of Exmouth Seafront with Cllr Andrew Moulding, local MP Hugo Swire said:

‘I am grate­­ful to Cllr Moulding for giving me an up-to-date briefing on the proposed Queen’s Drive development.

As I have said before, change and development is always contentious but often necessary. Any redevelopment of the seafront must provide Exmouth with the modern facilities that it requires whilst also preserving the character and beauty of the town.

I think that this is an exciting moment for Exmouth as the town has long been in need of investment and regeneration. It is to be welcomed that these proposals aim to extend the holiday season in Exmouth, boost the number of small businesses in the town and generate more jobs for local people.

However, I stressed to Cllr Moulding the importance of any development being affordable for local people as well as visitors. Cllr Moulding assured me that, under the plans, there will be a number of free facilities for the people of Exmouth and new attractions for younger people.

I also highlighted the importance of a genuine consultation with the people of Exmouth, their elected councillors and local businesses. I am particularly keen on the idea of a 3D model of the plans so that my constituents can get a better idea of what this proposed development will look like’.

http://www.hugoswire.org.uk/news/exmouth-seafront-statement

Housebuilding boom? Er, no …

Yet more evidence that developers are throttling housing supply to inflate prices.

“A brickworks hailed by David Cameron as “a sign of the improving economy” in a publicity stunt is now slashing jobs.

An MP blamed the housebuilding slowdown for the move at Forterra’s plant in Accrington, Lancashire – whose Nori bricks built the foundations for Blackpool Tower and the Empire State Building.

The PM and George Osborne both trumpeted Tory success during a visit on January 8 in their tour to launch the Northern Powerhouse.

The Chancellor claimed the factory reopening after two years was the “strongest evidence possible that Britain and the north west are coming back”.

… Just 11 months later the firm is looking at axing 15 of the 54 jobs at the site.

One anonymous worker claimed 25 million unsold bricks were lying unused in the yard and 12 out of 24 production staff would be affected.

Hyndburn Labour MP Graham Jones said he was “really concerned”, adding: “Christmas is an awful time to receive notice of redundancy.

“It’s a worry that housebuilding is beginning to slow down and there is a considerable surplus of bricks building up which reflects on the whole economy.”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/brickworks-hailed-david-cameron-sign-7061664

Consultation on changes to national planning policy extended

The Communities and Local Government Select Committee consultation on some specific changes to National Planning Policy will now be extended until

22 February 2016 11:45pm.

So you have an additional month to get your comments in. See this link for details:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/national-planning-policy-consultation-on-proposed-changes