Local MP Alan Mak has expressed strong reservations about a 2,000-home plan for Southleigh.
Developer Bloor Homes has indicated it wants to build on green space between Denvilles and Emsworth, and Havant Borough Council is expected to receive an outline planning application for the site in the coming months.
Mr Mak said: "Unlike Labour councillors I don’t pre-suppose that the Southleigh housing plan will or should go ahead. A planning application needs to be properly considered by the Council, and it’s already clear that any sizeable development at Southleigh, if approved by the Council, is not viable without a wide range of supporting infrastructure, including but not limited to a link road to the A27.”
"The developer previously included a possible link road in an earlier proposal and, given the pressures on the local road network in and around Havant and Emsworth, it seems essential to me that an A27 link road is one of the bare minimum conditions for any application which comes forward now."
Mr Mak said the Labour Government’s 74% increase in the housing target for the Borough of Havant added enormously to the pressure on local communities, open spaces and infrastructure.
He explained: "I have made it clear to the Labour Housing Secretary – and the Labour Government in general – that their nationally-imposed target is unacceptable for our community. It is not sustainable and should be abolished.
"It is no surprise that the Southleigh developer identifies and uses Labour’s nationally-imposed target as supporting evidence for their planning proposal.
"It is likely that our communities and infrastructure will come under further pressure at this and other sites in the Havant Constituency as a direct result of this Labour policy.
"There was no prior consultation with Havant Borough Council or its councillors, me as the MP, or any other local stakeholders or community groups before the target was imposed by Labour."
Sign Alan Mak MP’s petition if you share his concerns: www.AlanMak.org.uk/Southleigh
