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Search forCredit crunch could hinder Sherford town plan
Thursday, November 20, 2008, 07:00
Gary Streeter, MP for South West Devon, has called on ministers for a 'Plan B' in case of delays to the Sherford settlement, in order to meet future demands for affordable homes in the area.
The Tory MP tackled ministers over the issue during housing questions in the Commons.
Mr Streeter argued for greater flexibility in the planning system to allow new homes to be 'sprinkled' around existing towns and villages.
He said communities recognised the need for affordable housing.
He pointed out the developers behind Sherford were still negotiating on the planning application.
Plans for a new town at Cranbrook in East Devon were also set to be delayed, he argued.
Ministers have been under mounting pressure over the impact of the collapse in the housing market and current economic turmoil on its ambitious targets for homes.
The Government says it is providing billions of pounds to meet demand for affordable housing.
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Streeter said: "Despite the current market correction, the need for affordable housing in South Devon remains as great as ever, yet both the proposed new towns, which were intended to deliver much of that affordable housing, are now unlikely to happen for many years because of the credit crunch. Can the Minister tell us what plan B is?"
Housing Minister Iain Wright said: "The Government are providing about £8.4billion to help improve the supply of affordable housing.
"We need to do that, and we need to correct the imbalance between housing demand and supply, which persists in this country."
Speaking later, Mr Streeter said: "I think there's a Plan B. What I want them to do is get them to address it."
Greater flexibility was needed to allow for "new affordable homes to be sprinkled around the existing towns and villages".
"These days almost every community recognises it needs more affordable housing. This could be a win-win."
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