Councillors of all parties unite on housing targets

12.41.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 29th Oct 2005

Councillors of all parties have united in their concern at housing building targets set for Bournemouth. A target of 18,000 more homes in Bournemouth between 2001 and 2026 has been set at the regional level.

A resolution passed by councillors at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday, 25 October, called for more negotiation to see if increased building in areas outside of Bournemouth could reduce the figures for the town. The resolution also made clear that there should be no urban extension onto the green belt in Bournemouth, and that there should be sufficient funding for infrastructure before development takes place.

"No-one doubts that there is a need for more housing in Bournemouth, especially at affordable prices. Many parents worry that their sons and daughters will have to move away from the area to find somewhere they can afford to live," says Andrew Garratt. "But we need to sure that the targets are sustainable. Just because Bournemouth is already an urban area does not mean it can keep intensifying the level of housing development in the borough. We need to make sure that roads can cope, that services like water supply and sewerage are sufficient, and that there is still the green and open space for people to enjoy.

"I'm delighted that this resolution has united councillors of all parties in Bournemouth - Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, Labour and Independent. It sends the strongest message possible that Bournemouth must be treated fairly by those setting housing targets."

• (from www.andrewgarratt.org.uk)