Wiltshire Lib Dems Slam Govt's Planning Proposal

The Liberal Democrats have condemned the Conservative Government's plans to reform the planning system, arguing that proposed changes will do nothing to alleviate the housing crisis in Wiltshire.

The Liberal Democrats believe the Conservatives' proposals will not help those who are stuck on waiting lists and express concern that zoning plans risk "leaving whole areas behind."

Instead, the Party is calling for "an urgent house building programme", with proposals to build 100,000 social homes for rent every year.

Sarah Gibson, Wiltshire Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Planning and Housing said:

"The government's new planning proposals have rightly been condemned by expert planners and architects as a recipe for substandard housing, fewer affordable homes and less say for local people and their representatives.

"We certainly need more homes but Liberal Democrats want to build them as part of thriving communities, and not just more housing estates.

"With councils across the country approving nine out of ten planning applications, it is obvious that reforming planning laws will not help people on waiting lists or struggling to afford a home in Wiltshire.

"It should be about what people want, not what big developers want. The Conservatives are giving free reign to large developers by demonising local authority planning regulations which are there to protect communities.

The Liberal Democrats want to see 100,000 new social homes built every year, and for Wiltshire to have the power to suspend the right to buy, so that we can finally start tackling the housing crisis in Wiltshire."