It follows the opening of the last public consultation on the draft earlier this week.
After Bucks Council launched the last six-week public consultation on the plan on Thursday (23/07), Laura Kyrke-Smith raised several concerns in a statement posted to Facebook.
She listed her three strong concerns as:
- the appropriateness of the "very large developments" proposed near Wing and Cheddington
- lower-than-expected targets for affordable and social housing
- the lack of clarity over proposed infrastructure and service
In her statement she also accused Buckinghamshire Council of having "sat on its hands" for six years, something she argues has forced the Government to step in and set a housing target and deadline for Buckinghamshire to get its Local Plan ready. She says this is despite "the great work of many villages to produce Neighbourhood Plans, which should have been given due consideration sooner by the Council".
She did however describe the Government's national housebuilding programme as "right and necessary", adding that it is also "right that Buckinghamshire plays its part in delivering the homes of the future", something she says will "ensure that our young people have the chance to rent or buy a local home".
Among her other chief concerns was whether it's "fair" for Aylesbury and the villages, with 20% of Buckinghamshire’s existing population, to accommodate over 30% of Buckinghamshire’s housing growth, "having already accommodated so much already."
The Aylesbury MP says she will publish her formal submission to the Local Plan consultation in August, insisting she will continue to "work with residents" as she prepares it over the summer consultation period.
Her statement can be read in full below:
Bucks Council launches final consultation on draft Local Plan
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