News Release from Nick Herbert MP

Immediate

Tuesday 6 October 2009

MP “appalled” by plan for new town at North Heath & Adversane

Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert has said that he is “appalled” and “wholly opposed” to plans for 4,000 houses in a new town at North Heath and Adversane.

Mr Herbert was commenting after meeting with local campaigners during a visit to the area on Friday morning (2 October).

The greenfield site has been earmarked for housing in Horsham District Council’s Core Strategy consultation document, drawn up in response to the Government’s demand for 13,000 new houses in the district by 2026.

Local campaigner Andrew Swaffield said: “Nick Herbert has visited the area and listened to our concerns. We are delighted that he has offered us his support as we try to stop the destruction of this beautiful unspoilt part of Sussex.”

Nick Herbert commented: “I am appalled by this proposal to build a new town in the countryside between North Heath and Adversane. It would be twice the size of Pulborough and easily be the biggest settlement in my constituency. I am wholly opposed to unsustainable development on this scale and will give my full support to the local community.”

Mr Herbert added: “Having just seen off the eco-town at Ford, it seems to be one barmy idea after another at the moment, driven by the Government’s demand for 74,600 houses in West Sussex over the next 20 years. Quite apart from the loss of beautiful countryside, we simply do not have the infrastructure to support development on this scale.

“A new town in rural West Sussex is completely the wrong way to deal with the need to provide affordable housing in our villages, which should be done through local decision-making and at a realistic level.”

Mr Herbert confirmed that a Conservative government would scrap the national housing targets and Regional Spatial Strategies that are driving the house building plans in West Sussex. But he warned against complacency and urged local residents to respond to the consultation before the deadline on Friday 16 October.

Ends

For further information, please contact Matthew Jones on 07946 231372.