Two of Suffolk’s re-elected Conservative MPs have joined forces to try to ease the housing crisis that is threatening to explode in the middle of the county.
South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge and Bury St Edmunds MP Jo Churchill are working together to try to ensure that Babergh and Mid Suffolk councils are able to provide enough land for new homes in the districts.
Local MPs join forces to call for ‘reassurances’ on housebuilding
Neither council has identified a five-year supply of land which means there are facing a serious housing shortage. And that also makes it difficult for them to plan future housing needs.
In a joint statement the MPs said: “Both Babergh and Mid Suffolk district councils face the challenge of not meeting their required five year land supply.
“In short, they are both failing to deliver enough homes and national planning rules are becoming more important than local ones.
“As local MPs we share the concern of many residents that this could result in unsustainable levels of development being seemingly forced through without adequate infrastructure in place.
“Of course, we both understand entirely the need for providing new homes, particularly for young families and those seeking to downsize.”
They are holding a meeting with officials from the councils – which share a joint administration – in July to see what can be done to try to improve the housing supply.
“To be clear, unless there are exceptional reasons – such as in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – we all know that no community can expect to block out all proposed development.
“What we all surely want is a way to deliver sustainable levels of development that as far as possible has the support of local communities.”
Arthur Charvonia, Chief Executive of Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, said: “We are very aware of the concerns of residents around development: the fact is that we face an ever growing demand for housing in our districts and we need more housing to meet this demand.
“However it is important that we see development happening on the right scale in the right places.
“For that reason we are looking forward to meeting with Jo and James to discuss the local picture and national legal framework.”
Published in the East Anglian Daily Times.