MP Alicia Kearns criticises 'unforgiveable' housing targets in public meeting about Rutland's future
MP for Rutland and Stamford discusses the potential for Rutland to receive a higher portion of house building targets if Rutland was to merge with larger counties, such as Leicestershire.
At a meeting held by MP for Rutland and Stamford Alicia Kearns at Victoria Hall on Monday 27th January, Kearns spoke about the likely reality that Rutland will have to take on a disproportionate amount of housing if the county is forced to merge with neighbouring counties.
According to Kearns, the housing quota for Rutland has gone up by 166%
When asked whether local government reorganisation and devolution would affect Rutland's rural way of life, the MP answered: "Yes, without question.
"As soon as you say you only want ten mayors in the county, you are automatically forcing the focus on a very city-centric led model.
"In terms of housing, in Rutland, we've already had our housing targets doubled so [...] we've got every property company looking at Rutland thinking isn't that beautiful and lovely, let's put another 75 houses there or another 75 houses there. The same has happened to Stamford, the same has happened to Harborough. And what is really frustrating is that Lincoln, Nottingham, Peterborough and Leicester have all seen their housing targets reduced by the government and we have seen ours doubled.
"Every rural area that I have looked at across the country has had theirs increased. I think we have the third or fourth worst increase. But the fact that they did that, while reducing the official requirements of cities, to me is unforgivable, not least when I know Leicester has a thousand empty properties as well as a load of brown field sites and old factories which should all be being converted."
Kearns also spoke about her concerns about whether Rutland will lose its voice and identity if it merges with a larger county, concerned that the rural way of life could be at risk.
A second public meeting will be held on Monday 3rd February at 6pm in Victoria Hall, Oakham.
----------------------------------
Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Oakham Nub News is a quality online newspaper for Oakham and Rutland.
Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE- just click the 'SIGN UP' button.
Share:
