KEETCH ASKS COUNCIL FOR HOUSING PRIORITIES

2.11.13pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 4th Jul 2006

Hereford MP Paul Keetch is writing to Herefordshire Council concerning its response to the Inspector's response to the Unitary Development Plan. The Inspector is recommending development at Holmer as an alternative to Bullinghope but Paul Keetch believes that we may be forced to accept more homes in which case both schemes may go ahead.

Both schemes are for some 300 homes and offer additional benefits to Hereford. The Holmer scheme would provide over 100 affordable new homes and the Bullinghope scheme could contribute to the cost of the Rotherwas access road. Up to now it has been assumed that one or other scheme would be needed but the MP believes further pressure from central government through the region to provide more homes suggests that Hereford may have to have additional homes on top of any one scheme. Therefore, rather than have another scheme imposed upon us it might be better to go for two schemes that have additional planning gains for the city.

"In the past week I have met representatives from both Holmer and Bullinghope development teams. I understand there is local opposition OR both sites and I share many of the objections, but new homes will be forced on Hereford whatever we do.

"Up to now we have assumed that it would either be development at Holmer or Bullinghope but we may have an additional allocation of homes on top of this anyway," said Paul Keetch.

"If this is the case it would be better to go for two schemes that each have different planning gains as opposed to accepting just one and then possibly being forced to accept more houses somewhere else without any planning gain.

"Hereford desperately needs the Rotherwas access road and we desperately need more affordable homes - these two schemes will provide that and provide the new homes that Hereford is expected to need as well."