A motion agreed at the Liberal Democrats Party’s Autumn Conference (making it official party policy) lays bare the risks of the Government’s proposals, which the Party argues amount to a Government “power grab” that will reduce investment in affordable housing in the Cotswolds and elsewhere.
In supporting the motion, Liberal Democrats reaffirmed their commitment to challenging the move through the Government’s consultation process, and rejected the “reduction of local control.” Instead of bulldozing ahead with planning reforms, the Party is calling on the Government to match the Lib Dem ambition to build 100,000 social homes for rent every year.
Cotswold District Council Leader, Cllr Joe Harris commented:
“People living in the Cotswolds are the people best placed to make sure planning decisions shape our communities for the better. But this Conservative Government’s planning reforms will strip all that away.
"While the current planning system is far from perfect, it's certainly not the planning system that is causing the problems. Liberal Democrats in the Cotswolds wholeheartedly object to these proposals, which do nothing to ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing, undermine our climate commitments and put our local heritage at risk.”
Cllr Lisa Spivey, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness at Cotswold District Council, added:
“Instead of addressing the root cause of the housing crisis, the Tories’ proposals serve the interests of wealthy developers, giving them carte blanche to run roughshod over local communities’ wishes.
“We will do everything in our power to ensure our voice is heard through the consultation process. We are also calling on the Government to act now to address the housing crisis, by matching the Liberal Democrats' ambition to build 100,000 social homes for rent every year."
Cotswold Liberal Democrats have urged the Government to scrap hospital parking fees, which cost Gloucestershire families over £1.4 million last year.
Local Lib Dems are pushing County Council to recognise the cost of living crisis, asking Government to do more.
Conservative Councillors on Cotswold District Council wanted to mothball support for residents just as the Covid pandemic bites.
Cotswold District Councillors approved the Liberal Democrat administration's first budget for 2020/21.
