Have your Say!

Affordable Housing

Our young people are facing a crisis in terms of local housing. Even families with two fairly good incomes between them are finding it increasingly difficult to get on the property ladder in Plympton, Plymstock and the South Hams. And for those lower income families it's simply impossible due to the lack of affordable housing within the area.

Few of us wanted Sherford to happen- the attitude shared by many of us for a long time has been that new builds are not welcome. But we can not deny that there is a desperate need for housing for local youngsters and, if it is done well, Sherford can help to meet this need. I am meeting more and more people who accept that this is true and I have been turning my thoughts to making sure we get the very best for the local area and people out of Sherford.

There are three rule for Sherford to my mind:

1. The impact on our local environment- especially our roads- must be minimal

2. The focus must be on affordable housing for local people- not outsiders

3. The facilities must be put up at the same time as the housing- not as an added on after-thought.

I have agreed to chair a quarterly meeting between the developers, the planners and local community groups so together we can ensure Sherford is being built in the best possible way to suit local needs.

It is going to be a long battle, but I am hopeful that together we can make it work. Let me know what you think.

Yours,
Gary

posted by Gary Streeter M.P. on Wednesday, September 26, 2007

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