Basingstoke’s MP, Maria Miller hosted a Community Chat on the subject of slowing down housebuilding in Basingstoke and Deane.
Maria said, “Residents across Basingstoke consistently tell me that they want to see the rate of housebuilding reduced to sustainable levels, and this argument was firmly reiterated by the residents who attended my Community Chat.
“In December, the Government announced significant changes to their house building planning policy, giving new powers and freedoms to local planning authorities, such as Basingstoke and Deane, through changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to vary their planned house building numbers away from the standard method.
“The changes to the NPPF clarify in law that all future house building targets will be "advisory", which will enable local planning authorities like Basingstoke and Deane to take into account local circumstances.
“Despite these changes, the Borough Council are carrying on as if nothing has changed. Their draft Local Plan does not make use of new powers, instead, it does the exact opposite, by ratcheting up housebuilding to sky-high levels.
“I want to encourage all residents who have had enough of rampant housebuilding to sign my ‘Slow It Down Petition’. I will be presenting the petition to the Borough Council on the 21st of March so please do sign, and share with friends, family and neighbours.
“It is clear from the support my petition has already received that Basingstoke residents want to see the Borough Council exercise their new powers and argue for a reduction in housebuilding numbers. Thank you to everyone who attended the Community Chat.”
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