Housing and planning is an important issue in the Bexhill and Battle constituency. I know that many local people have concerns, whether it be due to the type of development proposed in their area, or worries about the lack of affordable housing, particularly for young people.
The aspiration of homeownership is a fundamental value I support. It provides greater security and people become more rooted in their communities. Currently, too many people are being prevented from getting on the housing ladder and are being prevented from seeing the benefits of homeownership that their parents’ generation enjoyed. Moreover, it is essential that the local transport infrastructure and services fully support these ambitions, if they are to be achieved.
Whilst it is important that we provide new homes that local people can afford to buy locally, affordability and supply concerns should not override everything else. Similarly, eco-friendly design should not be the sole consideration- beauty and a design code in keeping with existing design elements are also important.
My position has always been that we must build the right houses in the right places. This is especially true in our constituency which has a high proportion of land in protected zones, like the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). I want it to be easier to build much needed houses where it is right to do so, but see more protections for areas where more housing is not appropriate.
I will be actively working with parish councils to ensure planning priorities are supported by local communities. This, as well as Neighbourhood Plans are key to achieving long-term local planning and housing goals.
To alleviate flooding risk and support bio-diversity net gain, application assessment, monitoring and planning enforcement are as, if not more, important and require greater resources going forward.
