22 January 2010

Labour Councillors in Plymouth today accused their Conservative rivals of "pricing local people out of the housing market" by reducing yet again the requirement for a number of lower cost homes to be built in the city - this time in the city centre itself.

Planning Inspector Douglas Machin, will shortly lead the Public Examination of the Council's City Centre and University Area Action Plan proposals, along with representations from other city stakeholders. The hearing will examine in detail the robustness of the council's plans for the development of this area over the next 11 years - and beyond.

Plymouth Labour Councillors have submitted their own written evidence which will be presented by Cllr Nicky Wildy at the hearing on Tuesday 26th of January. Labour Councillor Susan MacDonald, whose St Peter & Waterfront Ward covers the City Centre will also speak at the hearing.

Labour Councillors are very concerned to hear that the Council intends to remove the requirement that affordable housing be part of the three most significant redevelopment sites in the city centre; Cornwall Street, Colin Campbell Court and North Cross.

Cllr Nicky Wildy said: "These sites are huge and hugely important. They could transform our city, our townscape and our economic fortunes. But the Conservatives are ignoring one element and that's the most important one. People.

"By excluding lower cost housing, the Tories are signalling once again that they wish to create ghettoes of and for the rich in the heart of Plymouth. We reject this policy of creating no-go areas for ordinary Plymothians, and in particular ordinary Plymouth families.

"Everbody knows that when the city centre was rebuilt after the war, housing was deliberately excluded. The Council got the balance wrong then and we think they are going to make the same mistake again. These 3 sites represent a once in a generation opportunity to create a vibrant, sustainable city centre."

Sue MacDonald will support the views expressed to her by local residents, who are becoming increasingly concerned about their place in the new City landscape. Sue says "These plans seek to marginalise local residents at a time when the demand for housing could not be greater."