GOVERNMENT HOUSING TARGETS FOR CANTERBURY DISTRICT ARE STUPID

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 21st Oct 2008

The extra houses are equivalent to 20 medium-sized extra villages

"The 10,200 extra houses the Government says must be built in Canterbury District by 2026 will seriously change the quality of life for its residents."

Martin Vye, Liberal Democrat Member for Canterbury City South West, spoke up for the residents of Canterbury District in a debate on the Government's housing plans for Kent, at the County Council meeting on October 16th. He said "The extra houses to which the Government says must be built are equivalent to, say, to 20 medium-sized extra villages; and will have to be put either on the edges of our towns or out in the open countryside. Either way we would be well on the way to a continuous urban sprawl. And think of the extra traffic movements and the congestion."

Martin went on: "The Government attempt to justify their plans by saying the Domestic Channel Tunnel Rail Link will make it easier for people to travel to work in London from Canterbury is stupid. Faster travelling time to London for our residents is a good thing, but are we expected then to become simply an outer commuter belt - an overspill from London?"