Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne today, Monday 10 August, accompanied campaigners to 10 Downing Street, where they presented a petition calling on ministers to scrap plans for the 6000-house new town scheduled to be built north of Hedge End, part of the Government’s Strategic Development Plan.

With nearly 1,000 signatures on the petition campaigners represented many of the areas which would be affected by the development.

While agreeing that the south needs more housing, affordable housing included, the campaigners’ main objection is that the proposed site is not the right place for such a large development.

Liz Leffman, the prospective Lib Dem MP for Meon Valley, said, ‘This development is entirely out of proportion and would ruin a lovely and tranquil area of the county.’

From Botley and Boorely Green, Cllr Cathie Fraser, said, ‘This top down development proposal has not been thought through so the risk is that it would be a dormitory suburb with inadequate schools, surgeries, dentists and community spirit. ‘

Chris Huhne stated, ‘Ministers have admitted that the county council consultation on these plans was flawed, because residents did not receive the necessary information. Nor was the ground-work done in looking at alternatives.

‘There is a need for more homes, but this new town is not the right way to build them.’

A story about the proposed development, ‘Strategic Development Plan - PUSHing up (6000) houses’, was published on Hedgeendpeople in July and various comments have been posted, for and against the scheme.  

Do you have views on this latest news? Were you one of the signatories to the petition?

Or do you think the need for more housing overrides ‘NIMBY’ reservations?

Whatever your views, share them with Hedgeendpeople!  

In the photo with MP Chris Huhne are Liz Leffman, campaigner Jo White, Bishop Waltham County Councillor Peter Mason and Botley Councillors Cathie Fraser and Rupert Kyrle.