Nigel Huddleston MP has today criticised the Government’s handling of housing policy following confirmation that Wychavon Town has been “de-prioritised” in the latest round of new town proposals.
Commenting on the announcement, Nigel Huddleston MP said:
“The latest announcement from the Government shows that their housing policy is a complete shambles, and we are seeing the effects of this in my constituency.
Labour has doubled the housing requirements for Wychavon, whilst reducing Birmingham’s by 30%, risking overdevelopment in our rural towns and villages. And now, having previously promised to ‘accelerate’ the development, the Government has ‘de-prioritised’ Wychavon Town (formerly known as Worcestershire Parkway).
My position has always been clear – Wychavon Town should only proceed if it properly prevents overdevelopment and urban sprawl across the constituency and if it is genuinely infrastructure-led. The logic behind having this one central development was to take pressure off the villages and towns in my constituency. Many villages immediately surrounding the proposed site already have issues with water, sewerage, transport and access to health and education services. We will not be able to absorb 10,000 new homes unless there is support to deliver new infrastructure as well as upgrades to existing systems.
But the Government has got its approach all wrong. It has incentivised overdevelopment of rural towns and villages through unrealistic and unsustainable new housing targets whilst undermining the one development, Wychavon Town, which could prevent this.
Since Labour came to power I have asked repeatedly for information on how the Government will support the Wychavon Town development financially, in order to ensure it has appropriate supporting infrastructure. In addition, I made it clear that Wychavon Town housing should be prioritised for local people, not to solve Worcester or Birmingham’s housing problems. I have never received a clear answer, and now the development has been de-prioritised with no indication of what support, if any, will be forthcoming. This flip-flopping has caused uncertainty for Wychavon District Council as the local planning authority, who have acted in good faith throughout this debacle; and it causes anxiety and uncertainty for my constituents.
I have therefore written again to the Minister seeking urgent clarity and reassurance that, if this development is to move forward, it will be properly supported by the Government and genuinely infrastructure-led.”
This follows confirmation from the Government that Wychavon Town is no longer among the preferred locations in the first wave of new towns, instead being listed as a “reasonable alternative”. While this means the site remains under consideration, it raises significant questions about the level of Government backing and infrastructure funding that would be required to support development at this scale.
Nigel has today written again to the Housing Minister seeking urgent clarity on the Government’s intentions and to ensure that any future development remains infrastructure-led and in the best interests of local residents.
