Focus on providing more homes.

Greenfield building is a huge issue across Pendle, especially in the Colne and West Craven areas, which Liberal Democrats represent on the Council. However, Liberal Democrats believe that with the right approach to tackling homelessness, by bringing empty properties back into use and building sensitively, we can meet our housing needs and protect our open spaces.

Councillor Tom Whipp is the Liberal Democrat Executive member for planning, and he has overseen the finalisation of Pendle Council's draft local plan, which includes an annual housing number of 148 houses. This is set to be subjected to public examination by a Government Inspector in a few months time.

Tom told Focus that, “This Labour Government are wanting to more than double new housing in Pendle, and the Government are also forcing through a centralisation of planning which will see the implementation of a national delegation scheme, cutting out local residents and councillors from decision making.”

At Pendle Council Tom moved a motion noting the Government's proposals in its Planning Reform Paper, and also reports from the planning manager that Pendle Council's performance in determining planning applications is top class.

Tom added that “The Labour Government does not understand the local issue here in Pendle where they are demanding an annual housing target that takes no account of the number of long-term vacant properties in Pendle. Labour's dictatorial proposals are removing the right of democratically elected councillors, and local communities, to have a say in how their communities will develop and grow.”

Tom proposed a motion to Pendle Council which made clear that contrary to the views of the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Deputy Prime Minister, Liberal Democrats belive that the input of residents' observations and that of local representatives on planning matters leads to better decision making, and that national delegation would fundamentally undermine accountability and any respect of the planning process. The council agreed and adopted the motion in full.

Housing should meet local needs, and address local problems, but the Labour Government's proposals will favour development of executive houses, doing little to boost the construction of truly affordable homes and social housing. The motion also called on Pendle's two Labour MPs to support the views of the local councillors and community when this proposal is presented to parliament.

The Liberal Democrats believe that if empty houses were brought into use then we could make a serious impact on tackling both street homelessness and sofa surfing, and meet the needs of local people without destroying our open green spaces.